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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 21, Day 3: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

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

SUMMARY OF ISAIAH 52:13-53:12

Jesus (the servant) will act wisely. He will be raised, lifted up, and exalted. His appearance was disfigured.

Jesus was despised. He had no beauty of majesty. Nothing in his appearance that we should desire.

Yet, he bore our suffering. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. He suffered our punishment that brought us peace. By his wounds we are healed.

We’ve gone astray and turned away.

Yet, Jesus was slaughtered like a lamb for us. It was God’s will this happen, the servant our sin offering. Jesus will be great.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 21, Day 3: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

6a) Jesus (the servant) will act wisely. He will be raised, lifted up, and exalted. His appearance was disfigured. Jesus was despised. He had no beauty of majesty. Nothing in his appearance that we should desire. Yet, he bore our suffering.

b) Just as there were many who were appalled at him[b]—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so he will sprinkle many nations,[c]
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

7a) Jesus willingly suffered for my sins. He died and was punished because of me. He brought me peace with God.

b) There are powerful verbs here: pierced, crushed, despised, rejected, oppressed, afflicked, slaughtered. Jesus, who was sinless, suffered terrible pain for our sins. It shows me the depth of the love that Christ holds for me, which is hard to comprehend.

8a) It’s really quite simple: Jesus bore our sins and died for us. He was arrrested; he stood trial; he was forsaken; he was convicted; he was mocked; he was crucified.

b) God always (and still does) have a plan for all of humanity and for me who plays a role in humanity. He wanted his people to know that the ulitmate home was coming; that God would save all.

9) Dear Lord. Thank you for having a plan, for bringing that plan to fruition to save the world, and for having a plan for the future when we’ll all worship you here on earth. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice of your son for us. We are so blessed, so in awe of you. We humbly worship you. Thank you. Amen

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 21, Day 3: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

I love how God is so good to reveal His plans to us. So humbling what Jesus did that it’s hard to put into words.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 21, Day 3: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

This is Servant Song #4.

Matthew 8:16-17 says that this passage is Jesus.

Jesus will be exalted, but he will suffer. He was beaten so badly that he was disfigured.

His work will cleanse many nations (sprinkling often means cleansing from sin as seen in the Old Testatment (Exodus 24:8, Leviticus 3:8, Numbers 19:21, Ezekiel 36:25).

Jesus appeared as you and I do. He was normal. Jesus knew grief and was rejected because of it. People withdrew from him.

He bore our sins. We have gone astray and need Jesus. Jesus died for us as was God’s plan.

Jesus willingly died; he offered no resistance.

Jesus will be rewarded for his work Philippians 2:10-11

We now can be with God forever.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:12-17

Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.

He healed the blind and the lame at the temple. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were indignant at what Jesus was doing. He left Jerusalem and spent the night at Bethany.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

13) Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. The purpose of the temple is to be a house of prayer. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.

14a) That Jesus will do whatever he sees fit to ensure justice is done. That he can get angry, too, at the defilement of the church. Nothing surprises me really except the fact that more scenes of Jesus getting angry aren’t recorded.

b) Psalm 51:10-12 has David asking for a pure heart. We have to be free and cleansed of sin to be with God. Therefore, God wants our hearts to be pure so He can be with us. David asks in Psalm 51:15-17 to open his lips to be able to praise him. 2 Corinthians 7:1 entreats us to purify ourselves to have perfect holiness out of reverence for God. Philippians 4:8 tells us to thing of what is true, nobel, right, pure, lovely, admirable, whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.

15a) Titus 3:5-7 tells us that God saved us out of mercy, through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us through Jesus. 1 John 1:7-9 tells us that Jesus’s blood purifies us. If we confess our sins, God will forgive us. Confession and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

b) A lot.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

I love this scene of Jesus. It shows us he gets angry at what he sees as unholy around him, and he makes it right. Good lesson for us, too.

Good movie.

map of bethany and temple in jerusalem www.atozmomm.comEnd Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

This is a different scene than the one in John 2:13-22,. Here, Jesus is cleansing his temple and forcing out those who cheated the people by selling them sacrificial animals at high prices. Jesus was angry at those who bought these goods, too. The prices were about 20 times higher inside the temple.

There would be about 150,000 people gathered for Passover. People here had to exchange their foreign money, which was what the money changers were doing, most likely at outrageous prices.

The merchants were in the outer courts of the temple, which was the only area Gentiles could go. Mark records Jesus quoting all of  Isaiah 56:7, which included all of the nations.

These people were exploiting others. After Jesus threw out those who were defiling the temple; he got back to business, healing people and showing them mercy.

The priests and leaders were all jealous, and they saw Jesus as a threat. They completely ignored the good he was doing.

Remember this was Passover, so Jews from all of Judea were streaming into the city. It’s likely Jesus had no place to stay inside of Jerusalem so had to stay close by in Bethany. While this was close, it may have taken a bit to arrive at Bethany.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

map of jesus enters jerusalem www.atozmomm.comSUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:1-11

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to borrow a donkey and her colt. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that the king will come riding on a donkey. The disciples brought the donkey and colt and placed their cloaks on them. Jesus sat on them. A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road.

The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

10a) That Jesus knew ahead of time what others would ask so he told the disciples what to say.

b) This fulfills prophecy

11a) The crowds: A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road. The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. They understood who Jesus was, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.

The disciples: We are not told what the disciples were doing when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Presumably walking by his side.

b) Jesus comes humble on a donkey. He makes no fanfare of his own. He goes to his destiny willingly.

12) I love how every moment is choreographed like an exquisite dance. Jesus is the center in a simple, powerful way.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

The crowds here make this scene powerful. It’s as if most everyone realizes what a moment this is.

Insanely good movie.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus enters Jerusalm publically, embracing what is to come.

Jesus rode on the colt. Mark and Luke tell us the colt had never been ridden. (Mark 11:2) Yet, it is calm. The mother helps.

Jesus is fulfilling every bit of prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27).

A colt is what royalty rode in ancient times.  Judges 10:4; 12:14. However, recently, royalthy had switched to riding horses, and donkeys had transitioned to creatures of burden by Jesus’s time.

The laying of clothes and branches is honoring Jesus and recognizing who he was.

Palms and branches wer ea symbol of victory and success.  1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:7; and Revelation 7:9

Hosanna is the crowd looking to Jesus to save them. We see this elsewhere in the Bible towards kings.  2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26

We missed Jesus’s weaping over Jerusalem, as this was only reported in Luke (Luke 19:41-44).

Ironic that these same people who were begging for Jesus to save them would in a mere five days condemn him to death. Man is so fickle.

Note Jesus is still called “Jesus of Nazareth.”  (Matthew 2:23).

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021
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Jacob’s path is red. Esau’s path is blue.

Summary of Genesis 33:

Jacob sees Esau coming towards him with 400 men so he divides up the women and children, putting the maidservants first, then Leah and her kids and finally Rachel and Joseph in the rear (obvious preference here).  He went ahead and bowed 7 times to greet his brother.

Esau ran to meet Jacob and welcomed him with open arms.  They wept and kissed.  Jacob introduced his family and then insisted that Esau keep his gift of animals, saying to see his face is like seeing God’s.

Esau offered to accompany Jacob the rest of the way home, which Jacob refused, citing the fact his herds had a lot of babies and needed to go slow.  Esau offered to leave some of his men with Jacob, but Jacob refused that as well.

So Esau went back to Seir while Jacob went to Succoth to shelter.  Then he ventured on to Shechem where he bought the land upon which to pitch his tent.  He set up an altar.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

13)  Esau is genuinely glad to see Jacob.  He runs to him, embraces him, kisses him, and he weeps.  He asks to meet Jacob’s family and he attempts to refuse Jacob’s gift of animals. A selfish man would have gladly accepted.  He offers to accompany Jacob back “home” and to offer an escort of men as well. Esau has completely forgiven Jacob. Jacob, on the other hand, misleads his brother to where he is going, not trusting him or his men.

14a) Home to see his mother and father, Rachel and Isaac. Or to Bethel, where God directs him (Genesis 31:13)

b) He went to Succoth.

15) Depends on your definition of broken. I have relationships that could be improved, that’s for sure. None are broken. Reaching out to them is the answer.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

I love how Jacob had it all wrong and Esau is glad to see him and means him no harm. It shows how we are often afraid of things we shouldn’t be.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 5: Genesis 33

We see Jacob’s preference in Rachel and Joseph here.

Note Jacob is in the lead here, a change in his character. Note too that if Jacob hadn’t deceived Esau, God’s words would have come true anyways. There is never a reason to justify sin, especially to help God along.

We see one of the most touching scenes in the Bible where Jacob and Esau embrace and weep. Esau shows that he had forgiven Jacob by questioning the gifts and refusing them at first.

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Esau is content here, a wealthy man as well. God kept Isaac’s promise to bless him, too. Esau accepted Jacob’s apology when he accepted the animals, showing them to be friends and not enemies.

Jacob misled Esau on where he was going, still not trusting him or his men. This was the old Jacob acting, not the new Israel who trusted in God. Instead of going south to Seir, he heads north to Succouth.

Jacob is to return to the Promised Land, but he does not go far enough, and we are not told why. He is to go to Bethel (Genesis 31:13). He delays, and we know that there are consequences to delays. Perhaps he is still afraid of Esau. He definitely doesn’t trust him.

Fun Fact: This is the second piece of Promised Land purchased by the patriarchs (the first being when Abraham bought the place to bury Sarah in Genesis 23).

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 32:22-32:

Jacob sent his two wives, two maid servants, and 11 kids across the Jabbok River. He also sent all of his possessions as well. He then wrestled with God in his sleep. The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. Jacob called the place Peniel, or “he struggles with God.” God renames Jacob Israel, or “God rules” Jacob saw God face-to-face and lived. The Israelites do not eat the hip socket where Jacob was touched.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

10a) Jesus because Jesus is God in human form. No one can see God’s face and live, but they can see Jesus’s

Exodus 33:20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Exodus 33:23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

b) To depend on him alone and to give up himself.

11) The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. It was to remind Jacob of God’s centrality in his life. Jacob responded with humble blessings and knew he only survived because of God’s infinite grace.

12) The fact my life could be and has been worse. The fact I know I am a mere human and that the world does not revolve around me. God is the one and only.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

I love this physical representation of surrendering to God. God uses any means to have all of us, including sending Jesus to wrestle. This gives me faith that God won’t let go of me, either.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob sent his family over the river to protect them in case there was an attack. Jacob was alone with God, which would be his very last on the east side of the Jordan River. He prayed.

Note that a man wrestled with Jacob, not Jacob with the man. God was working on Jacob still. God wanted all of Jacob’s heart, and He had come to take it.

Jacob pleas to be let go, to surrender, to end it. We all must come to this same place with God, with force if necessary or circumstances that bring us to our knees.

Jacob is not making any demand here. He is asking God to bless him out of desperation  Hosea 12:3-5

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Jacob Wrestles with God/Jesus

All Jacob had was God, and that is all Jacob held on to. This is God’s answer to his previous prayer. He was being rescued from himself.

Israel is a compound word of two Hebrew words, one meaning fight or struggle and one meaning God. It correctly means God rules, not he struggles with God as most Bibles will tell you.

Note that the Bible will still refer to Jacob as Jacob at least twice as often as Israel. This indicates that Jacob is still human and will make mistakes.

Jacob overcame because he knew he was defeated. He also know exactly who defeated him. The new name is the blessing Jacob is asking for.

Jacob knew he should have been killed for wrestling for God, but in God’s mercy, he was allowed to live. As a reminder, he’d have a limp. And what a reminder!

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 3: Genesis 32:9-21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 32:9-21:

Jacob prayed to God to save him from Esau. He praises God and admits how unworthy he is. Jacob then reminds God of His promise and covenant to preserve him and his family. He sent gifts of animals ahead to meet Esau in an effort to pacify him.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 3: Genesis 32:9-21

6) He calls God the God of Abraham and Isaac. He praises God and admits how unworthy he is. Jacob then reminds God of His promise and covenant to preserve him and his family. I love reminding God of His promises in prayer.

7) He sent gifts of animals ahead to meet Esau in an effort to pacify him.

8 ) His prayer to God praises God, admits how unworthy he is, admits his fears, and reminds God of His promises to him. He also is giving Esau many gifts as well

9) Fear of the unknown. Praying and reading my Bible helps.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 3: Genesis 32:9-21

I love Jacob’s prayer here. It’s an example for all of us to follow:

  1. Humbly call upon God
  2. Tell God how unworthy you are
  3. Ask him for what you want in faith He will answer
  4. Remind Him of his promises. Powerful stuff here.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 21, Day 3: Genesis 32:9-21

Jacob’s gifts can be seen as ways to earn favor or to bribe his brother not to harm him. Still, it’s a big improvement from stealing his brother’s birthright. Jacob is still trying to use human means to save himself here when it is always God who saves us. Instead of going out ahead to meet his brother, he waits, hoping his gifts will placate.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 21, Day 4: Genesis 25:27-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Genesis 25:27-34:  Esau became a hunter while Jacob stayed home.  Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob more.  Esau sold his birthright for a meal, implying he despised his birthright.

Questions:

8a)  Who wouldn’t?  From Question 6 from yesterday, we learn the birthright entails in this case the promise of Abraham which is having nations bow down to you, be lord over your brothers and all your relatives and others, and may those who despise you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.  Deuteronomy says the firstborn should receive a double share and is the sign of his father’s strength.  Jacob would be the chosen one of God to perpetuate His nation.  Sign me up, too!

b)  As we explored in 7d yesterday as well, we learn Esau does not have a heart for God. He marries Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34–notice not one woman but two which is not what God desires for man).  He despises his birthright (Genesis 25:36) while Jacob embraces it.  And we see that Jacob will do anything (nothing morally right) but anything to receive the blessing.  So he desires it.  And we must assume both Esau and Jacob knew the heavy expectations with this birthright.

It’s like in our day.  Those who persevere and desire something the most usually achieves it.  Although the methods Jacob employed did not sit well with God, God chose Jacob anyways.  Because of his heart.  God chooses.  Not us.

c)  Abraham lacked faith in God’s promise of a son, believing Sarah was incapable of having a child, so he had a child with Hagar.  I’m not quite sure if Jacob ever had unbelief. He believed he had the birthright already and he did what he had to do in order to receive it.  I’m assuming BSF is looking for some answer like this, “Well, if Jacob would have waited God would have given him the birthright anyways.”  True.  But he wouldn’t have received it from Isaac on earth.  And I’m not sure if unbelief was the motivation behind Jacob’s actions.  It’s a stretch in my opinion.

9a)  Our inheritance is to be like Jesus, to live a Godly-life, following God’s laws, and to do His work set before us. Some Christians don’t like having to live up to these higher standards so they follow the world instead of God’s word and God’s will for their life. They think it unfair despite what Jesus did for us on the cross.  So they chose to ignore God and listen to the devil instead.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I do my bible study every day.  I pray.  I try to do God’s will in my life.  I try to be more like Jesus every day.  I take my God-given purpose seriously.  I try to show Him the best I can.

10)  They are adopted as sons of God.  They have divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.  We have Christ indwelt through Jacob’s family and are reckoned with God.

Conclusions:  Seems like this was an expounding of yesterday.  It seems intuitive but a lot of Christians/unbelievers don’t grasp the concept:  Christians are blessed; they are different; they do have a spiritual inheritance and spiritual advantages because of Jesus; and they do have a responsibility once Christ lives inside of them to make this world a better place.

Christians are set apart by God.  They have a God-given purpose for their brief time on earth.  It is our responsibility to act on everything Christ has done for us.  It is our job to save as many people as possible.  And rewards await us when our body gives out.

So what are you doing for Him today?