Tag: bsf questions answers lesson 25 day 4

photo of Nehemiah 6:15-8:18 from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 25, Day 4: Nehemiah 8:1-12

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

Summary of Nehemiah 8:1-12

Ezra brought the Law before the people and read it to them. Ezra praised the Lord, and all bowed down and worshipped Him. The Levites explained the Law so that the people understood it. The people then left to eat, drink, and celebrate because they understood God’s Law.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 25, Day 4: Nehemiah 8:1-12

9a) All of the people came together to listen to the reading of the Law. They listened attentively. All the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” to the Law. Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. The people were weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  But Nehemiah told them to go eat, drink, and celebrate and not to weep, for this is a holy day. They were not to grieve but instead have joy. All of the people did this because they understood the Law.

b) That the people were so moved by the words of God that they were weeping and worshipping Him. That they listened for hours, eager to understand.

10a) Leadership wanted to ensure that the people understood the Law and not just heard it. They said it was a holy day and a joyous day and told the people to celebrate! They were also there supporting Ezra. They respected and heard God’s words, so this sets a great example for others to hear and listen, too.

b) It prevented the people from being paralyzed by guilt. By redirecting them from their failures to God’s mercy, the leaders transformed grief into “the joy of the LORD.” This renewed strength was essential for the community to move forward in sustained obedience, proving that God’s Word brings life, not just condemnation.

11a) God’s word has given me so much. I understand His ways. I grow closer to Him. I’m a better person because of it. The world makes more sense to me and does not seem so chaotic. It has enriched my life immeasurably.

b) I try to explain it the best I can to those who ask, and we investigate together what God is trying to do/say.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 25, Day 4: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Seeing God’s people thirst for His Word and thirst to understand it is nothing short of inspiring.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 25, Day 4: Nehemiah 8:1-12

The Law of Moses is the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

Ezra was a priest and a scribe who had the temple rebuilt and brought the people back to worship.

The people came willing to hear God. Such a difference this makes!

Everyone there respected the Word.

The people thanked God, prayed, and worshipped. This is what we need to do to grow with God, too!

You have to understand God’s law in order to make changes in your life.

The teachers of the law/preachers are there to help us understand God’s word better. They are often gifted to do so.

We often need things explained to us so our hearts can grasp them.

The best teachers help us understand God’s word, not their opinions.

We should be glad that God is doing work in us, which is why the people were told to not cry.

The people realized they had been ignoring God’s commands and were full of sorrow. Yet, through repentance comes joy, which is what the leaders were telling the people.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Revival at the Water Gate

With the physical walls secured, the people gathered voluntarily to rebuild their spiritual foundation.

  • Hunger for the Word (vv. 1–4): The assembly did not wait for a sermon; they asked Ezra to bring the Book of the Law. This was a unified, desperate desire to hear from God, lasting from daybreak until noon.

  • Exposition, Not Just Reading (vv. 7–8): The Levites didn’t just recite the text; they “gave the sense” and explained it. This ensured the people didn’t just hear the sound of the words but grasped their meaning and application.

  • Conviction into Celebration (vv. 9–12): The immediate reaction was weeping, as the people realized how far they had fallen from God’s standard. However, Nehemiah and Ezra corrected them. They declared that this was a holy day, not a funeral. They famously commanded, “The joy of the LORD is your strength,” turning their repentance into a feast of gratitude.

Conclusion

This passage outlines the pattern for true revival: It begins with a hunger for Scripture, requires clear teaching to ensure understanding, and results in a balance of repentance (for sin) and joy (in God’s mercy). Understanding God’s Word should ultimately lead to strength, not despair.

Best Reading Accessories!

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

lion and the lamb bsf revelation www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 25, Day 4: Revelation 20:7-10

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

Summary of Revelation 20:7-10

Satan is judged after the 1,000-year period. He will be released. Satan will deceive the nations and gather his followers. They will come against God’s people, but God will devour them with fire from heaven, and Satan will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur for all of eternity.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 25, Day 4: Revelation 20:7-10

9a) Satan will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle.

b) Satan never gives up. He is always evil and always trying to destroy God. Because Satan gathers followers, man is evil, too.

10) Fire from heaven will devour Satan’s army, and Satan himself will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur to be tormented day and night forever.

11a) You would think that people would believe in God after having Jesus reign for 1,000 years. But, no. This just shows how evil mankind really is. This shows me that I always must be close to God least my human nature takes over, too. I have to help others be close, too.

b) In so many ways. People want to do what they “feel” is good at the time and don’t care about the consequences. Some people thrive on drama rather than God’s peace. We must strive to do good and be good, but we have to want that.

c) Read God’s Word, pray, go to Bible study, surround myself with godly people, and continually strive to be like Jesus.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 25, Day 4: Revelation 20:7-10

I love seeing Satan get what he deserves! Go, God! Yet, I hate seeing how mankind is innately evil and some still go against God. We need to be prayer warriors always for the lost.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 25, Day 4: Revelation 20:7-10

Some people during the Millenial and Jesus’ reign will only be outwardly conforming to God’s ways; they will never be committed to God. These are the people Satan will recruit.

After 1,000 years of perfection, man will still rebel. This shows that it’s our nature that causes sin, never God. We, at heart, are evil.

The rebellious will be those who survived the Great Tribulation and their descendants who don’t know God.

Gog and Magog here are symbols because these are prophetic enemies of Israel in Ezekiel 38-39.

Satan once again tries to destroy God’s people (what he always tries to do). God stops it before it starts.

Remember that the beast and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the thousand years (Revelation 19:20).

Best Valentine’s Day Goods

https://amzn.to/40NIx25

https://amzn.to/4jIujZ9

https://amzn.to/410KlGy

https://amzn.to/4aQR7lC

https://amzn.to/4jKPB8w

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

jeremiah burning tree people of the promise kingdom divided lesson 25 www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah

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

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah

9)

Jeremiah 16:1-4: God told Jeremiah not to marry or have kids because they would die of deadly diseases.

Jeremiah 20:1-2: Jeremiah was beaten and put in the stocks for prophesying.

Jeremiah 26:7-11: The priests, the prophets and all the people seized Jeremiah and said he should be sentenced to death.

Jeremiah 37:1-2, 16: Jeremiah was ignored by Zedekiah and all the people. Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time.

Jeremiah 38:6: Jeremiah was put into a cistern, which was full of mud.

10) We all go through trials in life, and God’s calling on our lives is not easy. But God protected Jeremiah and provided for him, and no doubt he did make some impact on those who he preached to in his 40 years of doing God’s bidding.

11) First, that Ebed-Melek (his name means ‘servant of the king’) was a Cushite, a foreigner, and may not have been a believer. Thirty men came and rescued Jeremiah and did so compassionately. But, God used him to save Jeremiah. God watches over the faithful and does save them.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah

What a great example of the trials of God’s calling, but the great rewards of it. God does save and care for us, and He sends people to rescue us every day, whether we realize it or not.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 25, Day 4: Select Passages From Jeremiah

Almost everyone in ancient Israel was expected to get married and have children. In fact, it was a shame and dishonor not to do so. This is a very unique command of God’s in the Bible. He did this for Jeremiah’s sake so that he would not feel the pain of losing his wife and kids.

The people treated Jeremiah as a false prophet when they ignored him and put him in the stocks.

Jeremiah was speaking from the temple court (Jeremiah 26:2) in Jeremiah 26:7-11 when he was seized. At the end of the day, the people did not like his message. Shiloh was a town close to Jerusalem that had been destroyed previously by the Philistines. Jeremiah was condemned and brought to judgment.

King Zedekiah only reigned in Jersualem around 598 B.C. He was supposed to obey Nebachadnezzar, the King of Babylon, but he did not. This is when Nebachadnezzar took over Israel for good. Jeremiah told the king to surrender to King Nebachadnezzar. King Zedekiah did not like that. They ignored him, and threw him in jail.

Then, the princes of Judah (most likely King Zedekiah’s sons) lowered Jeremiah into a cistern with the intent to leave him there to die. They could have pushed him in and he likely would have died from the fall, but they did not want blood on their hands. Cisterns were wells that stored water that most people either had or used. Read the verses ahead of Jeremiah 38:6 for the full story.

Jeremiah was rescued from the cistern, but still remained in prison.

Contact me today!

Best Easter Gifts for Bible Study

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

judgment of nations matthew 25 www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 4: Matthew 25:31-46

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 25:31-46

Still on the Mount of Olives, Jesus tell about when he returns. He will have all of the angels with him, and he will sit on his throne in glory. He will separate everyone like a shepherd separates his sheep and goats. The sheep will go to his right; the goats on his left. Jesus blesses the sheep on his right, and they will have their inheritance, the kingdom prepared for them since the creation of the world. For they cared for Jesus, giving him food, drink, and clothes.

Confused, the righteous wondered when they did these things. Jesus responded that they did it for him every time they did it for one of their brothers.

Those on the left will be cursed to the eternal fire for they did nothing for him or his people. They will have eternal punishment, while the righteous has eternal life.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 4: Matthew 25:31-46

9) He will have all of the angels with him, and he will sit on his throne in glory. He will separate everyone like a shepherd separates his sheep and goats.

10a) The sheep on his right are blessed and will have their inheritance, the kingdom prepared for them since the creation of the world. For they cared for Jesus, giving him food, drink, and clothes and they cared for Jesus every time they cared for one of their brothers. They are believers.

b) Those on the left will be cursed to the eternal fire for they did nothing for him or his people. They will have eternal punishment. They are unbelievers.

c) We are here to help others, which is what Jesus would do. Since he is not here, we are to take his place.

d) Luke 6:45 says good men brings good things stored up in his heart. Faith has action associated with it, according to James 3:14-17. Faith and deeds go hand-in-hand. 1 John 3:16-18 says we are to love with action and truth. Because Jesus laid down his life for us, we are to do the same for our brothers. This is how we will know we belong to truth (verse 19)

11) I would say more in the little things I do. Smiling to others. Lending a helping hand. Volunteering. And helping those close to you, such as family and friends, when they need help. Donating time and money to worthy causes and those who need the help.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 4: Matthew 25:31-46

I love the emphasis on doing things for others because that’s what Jesus would do. This needs to be more on our minds.

Classic book! I wish more modern children’s authors would write on Jesus.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 4: Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus gives more details about his Second Coming here. His throne will be on earth.

Fun Fact: Jesus usually called himself “Son of Man” when speaking of himself.

Most Bible scholars agree that this judgment is different than the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15.

  • The Great White Throne Judgment happens after the 1,000 year reign of Jesus. This judgment happens right after Jesus returns.
  • This Judgment of Nations only includes the nations, or Gentiles, who are judged on their care of others. The Great White Throne Judgment is everyone.

Goats and sheep usually naturally separate themselves when it gets cold at night because the goats huddle for warmth, but sheep don’t need to.

Some Bible scholars believe this Judgment of Nations will happen after the Great Tribulation Matthew 24:21 The rapture will have already happened  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Jesus separates those who will receive the kingdom of heaven and those who will not. Jesus judges them by their works here.

This is a lesson to us all to help others whenever we can for Jesus may come at any time.

God prepared Hell for the devil, his angels, and now those who are condemned.

The purpose of the Judgment of Nations is to separate people before the beginning of Jesus’s millennial kingdom.

Jesus came first to free us from sin.

Jesus will come again to judge and rule.

Contact me today!

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 25, Day 4: Genesis 35:1-5

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  God told Jacob to settle in Bethel and build Him an altar there. So Jacob and his household prepared to move, ridding themselves of their idols, purifying themselves, and changing their clothes.  Jacob buried the foreign gods and their rings under an oak at Shechem.  God protected them as they went so they would not suffer repercussions from the slaughter of Shechem.

Questions:

9a)  Go to Bethel and build Him an altar

b)  Jacob vowed that the Lord would be his God and he would give a tenth if he returned safely to his father’s house.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  To go where God wants me and follow His lead in my life and worship him by following his commands, which include tithing, praying, obeying, reading His word, praying, and much more.

10a)  “To get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.”

b)  2 Corinthians says to purify yourself from everything that contaminates body and spirit in order to perfect holiness.  Ephesians tells us to put on our new self in the attitude of the mind in order to be righteous and holy.  1 John tells us to confess our sins and walk in the light and the blood of Jesus shall purify us from the unrighteousness. And to keep ourselves from idols.

c)  Acts recounts how people renounced sorcery by burning their scrolls.  An idol is anything we value and/or worship more than God.  This can be our kids, our spouse, any material items such as our house, car, or job.  And an image of an idol like in ancient times such as a Buddha statue or what-have-you.  (Anyone reminded of the study of Isaiah here?)

Conclusions:  Anyone else see a problem with the fact Jacob’s family had idols lurking around and it was only when God told them to leave did they see the need to dispose of them?  I’m sure as soon as they reach Bethel more idols will appear.

The WORST part:  Jacob, as supposedly the head of God’s chosen people, seemingly knew about these idols and condoned them!  It seems he only got rid of them because God spoke to him again.  Maybe he felt guilty.  Or maybe they were too heavy to carry across country!

Jacob is chastizing his family mildly.  It’s almost an after-thought.  “Oh, yeah, by the way, you need to get rid of those idols you’ve had for 10 years now.”  Seriously???

There is definitely some failed leadership going on here.  This explains a lot about today’s society where the man does not take the primary role in the family and our children are failing because of it.

It’s safe to assume Rachel still had her idols here so she is setting the example that it’s okay to possess these idols.  God doesn’t care.  Wrong!

The changing of their clothes was symbolic here.  Just like circumcision was an outward sign of being God’s chosen people the changing of the clothes here in OT times is an outward sign that they are changing their minds, their attitude, their character, and their ways and turning to God.  It’s like the Ephesians passage we read.  They are taking off (literally) their old selves and putting on their new and turning to God for their salvation.

The earrings also must have had some kind of pagan association since they got rid of those as well.  We must also get rid of anything ungodly and separate ourselves from the world like Jacob did when he moved to Bethel away from the corruption of Shechem.

Good opportunity to learn from Jacob’s failing miserably as the head of his household and God’s and re-examine our own lives and see where we are failing in God’s call, where we are worshipping idols, where we are failing to set the example for others around us, how we can place ourselves away from worldly influences as much as possible, and how we can put God and His will back at the center of our lives.  That’s my prayer anyways.

Map of Bethel:  Quick reference point.  Bethel is in red and Shechem is right above it.

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/bethel.htm