BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 30, Day 6: Maturing His People
13) Faithful
14) It’s hard to know specifics, but I believe I am to walk my path where God has put me, one day at a time.
15) Having control over my thoughts. It’s something I need to work on.
16) Dear Lord. Thank you for pursuing me even when I run the other way. Thank you for growing me closer to you and for the opportunity to get to know you better. Thank you for the peace this brings me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for others in my life. Amen.
Paul wishes he were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of his people, the people of Israel for they are the patriarchs.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
God scattered many of His people, the Israelites, because He was not pleased with them.
We should not be idolaters, commit sexual immorality, not test Christ, or grumble. They serve as warnings for us. Be careful to not fall.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 4: Romans 9:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
9) We are God’s offspring and live in Him (Acts 17:28). God gives us fellowship and eternal life. Christ purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:1-7).
10a) They wanted to live their way, not God’s way. They did not fear the Lord. They let evil rule their lives. They sacrificed to idols. God was the one who healed them and led them. God’s anger will be poured out onto them because they have forsaken him and burned incense to other gods.
b) In a similar manner — doing my own thing rather than God’s thing and not giving Him the credit for everything in my life.
11) God’s grace and presence keeps me going when the going gets tough and I don’t understand things in my life. I know He is in charge, not me.
12) His word is so rich and powerful that I think you can’t help worship Him when you read it.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 4: Romans 9:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Great lessons for having faith in God and His ways.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 4: Romans 9:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Romans 9:1-5
Paul is sorrowful over Israel. He wishes he were cursd to bring Israel back to God. This shows the heart of Jesus.
The people were blessed with God Himself, the covenants, the law, and more.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Israel was blessed. But they were not grateful. They died waiting to enter the Promised Land.
Therefore, the Corinthians should avoid the Israelites’ bad example. They should not be idolaters, commit sexual immorality, not test Christ, or grumble. They serve as warnings for us. Be careful to not fall.
Have you not known since the beginning that God is God? He sits enthroned above earth. He brings down princes. Who can compare to God or is his equal? Those who hope in God will not grow weary. They will soar on wings like eagles. He gives them strength.
Micah 7:18-19
God forgives sins. He shows mercy and compassion on us. His anger does not linger.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 2: Isaiah 40:21-31 and Micah 7:18-19
5a) It’s God Himself telling us about Him and revealing himself. We can trust what God says about Himself, as it helps us to grow closer to Him. He completely revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Crhist, and it helps us remember Him and what He has done for us.
b) That He is faithful. That he is merciful and compassionate. That He wants to bless me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 2: Isaiah 40:21-31 and Micah 7:18-19
Great verses and a great recap!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 29, Day 2: Isaiah 40:21-31 and Micah 7:18-19
Isaiah 40:21-31
God’s greatness is evident in all of Creation. God sits above us all. He is master since He knows the stars by name. Knowing God is in our lives should make a difference in how we live.
God gives us His strength. He gives it to us as we rely on Him, seek Him. We can soar above all things like eagles. Strength to go forward.
Habakkuk cries out to the Lord, but says He is not listening as the wicked people pervert justice and there’s wrongdoing all around him.
The Lord answers by saying He will raise up the Babylonians who are ruthless people to seize dwellings across the world.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 28, Day 2: Habakkuk 1:1-11
3a) Habakkuk cries out to the Lord, but says He is not listening as the wicked people pervert justice all around him.
b) The questions we have today are exactly the same as the ones we had back then. Why does God allow bad to happen to people?
4a) Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
b) He is going to raise up the Babylonians who are ruthless people to seize dwellings across the world.
5) God is working silently in the background. He is always with us, even when we can’t see, feel, or understand Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 28, Day 2: Habakkuk 1:1-11
Many of the prophets we’ve studied this year have wondered how God could allow such atrocities against mankind and they have asked him about it. So must we.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 28, Day 2: Habakkuk 1:1-11
We know very little about the prophet Habakkuk, as he is not mentioned in other books of the Bible. Bible scholars believe he preached during the reign of King Jehoiakim around 600 B.C. and the book was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. His name means “embrace” in Hebrew and him being called a prophet is rare in the Bible. He lived in the last days before Judah’s exile and is the last of the preexilic prophets. His book encourages the righteous to remain faithful despite the horrors and evil around them.
This is the 8th book of the Minor Prophets.
Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5 in Acts 13:41 urging the people not to let complacency keep them from accepting Jesus.
Habakkuk wanted judgment on those who were doing evil in the world.
Seeing evil makes us realize that we ourselves are evil, too.
God answers by saying He will use the Babylonians for judgment.
Jeremiah is lamenting the punishment and loss of the people. He compares them to gold that has lost its luster. And they are now destitute. All because of their sins that caused the Lord’s wrath. The Lord has scattered His people. Their punishment will end after the punishment is over.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
9a) They and their. The people of Jerusalem. Us. The people of Jerusalem. He. God.
b) The children of Zion are now pots of clay in a potter’s hand (they have gone from gold to clay). The people are heartless. The infant is thirsty. The children beg for food. The rich are destitute. Kings and royals are now dead. The princes are unrecognizable. Many will die of famine. Women cooked their own children for food.
c) We see the punishment of God’s people. But their punishment will end after this punishment.
10) The Lord has given full vent to his wrath;he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations. The enemies and foes entered the gates of Jerusalem. The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor. The Lord’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their (the enemies’) traps. God will punish their sin and expose their wickedness.
11) It’s good. It helps to keep me accountable and prevent me from sin. God’s judgment is just; everything He does is just. I think it’s helpful to know you are being watched, so you don’t sin.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
It can be hard to read the troubling consequences of sin and God’s punishment. Yet, it serves as a lesson to us to not do/be the same.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
Jeremiah uses comparison and contrast to point out how the people used to be versus what they are now.
Jeremiah laments the loss of the people who were as precious as gold. Everyone was punished by God; no one was exempt.
The nobility are unrecognizable. It is so bad that women cooked their own children for food.
God’s wrath was deep. The people wandered the streets, stepping on dead bodies and defiling themselves. The people were scattered and were shunned everywhere they went.
No one could escape as the Babylonians pursued them.
Edom was happy Jerusalem had fallen, but they would be punished soon for their sins.
The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from captivity[a] and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess. They will serve God again. ‘I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. God is with them and will save them. God will not completely destroy them; only discipline them. ‘But all who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. 17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’
‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,and the palace will stand in its proper place. He will add to their numbers. They will bring him honor. God will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. So you will be my people, and I will be your God.’”
Jeremiah 31
I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.” God will build them up again. They will proper again with plenty of fruit. The Lord will preserve a remnant adn they will come back to the Lord. The people will be delivered and redeemed and be abundant.
The Lord will make a new covenant with His people. I will put my law in their mindsand write it on their hearts. I will be their God,and they will be my people. I will forgive their wickednessand will remember their sins no more.” Jerusalem will be rebuilt.
Jeremiah 32
The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah. I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians[a] but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the Lord. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.’”
Jeremiah buys his uncle’s field because the Lord told him to do so.
I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but arouse my anger with what their hands have made, declares the Lord. I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. The Lord will prosper them.
Jeremiah 33
The Lord says: They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness. Yet, the Lord will restore His people: Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.7 I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity[b] and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. The land will be restored and the people will prosper again. Jesus will come and save Judah. He will be called the Lord Our Righteous Savior.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 4: Jeremiah 30-33
9a) He will bring His people Israel and Judah back from captivity[a] and restore them to the land He gave their ancestors to possess. ‘I will surely save you out of a distant place,your descendants from the land of their exile. God will not completely destroy them. ‘But all who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. 17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds.
‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,and the palace will stand in its proper place. He will add to their numbers. They will bring him honor. God will punish all who oppress them. Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. So you will be my people, and I will be your God.’”
I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.” God will build them up again. They will proper again with plenty of fruit. The Lord will preserve a remnant adn they will come back to the Lord. The people will be delivered and redeemed and be abundant.
b) Because at this point in their history they are about to be taken captive. They needed words of encouragement that this would not be forever; that their children will inherit and inhabit the Promised Land once again. Everyone needs hope, or life is utterly meaningless. And, there is only hope found in God.
10a) The Lord will make a new covenant with His people. I will put my law in their mindsand write it on their hearts. I will be their God,and they will be my people. I will forgive their wickednessand will remember their sins no more.”
b) They have the Holy Spirit who guides them. Jesus fulfilled the law. The Holy Spirit tells us: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”[a] Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”[b]
c) I’m not weighed down by my sins as I know God forgives me. I know Jesus took my judgment. For that, I feel I do become closer to Jesus each and every day and can be more like him, too. I can pray and feel guided by the Holy Spirit as to what God wants me to do. This in and of itself is freedom.
11) By Jeremiah purchasing a piece of land that would soon be overrun by Babylonians and be worthless, the message was clear: God would restore Judah and God’s people would once again inherit the Promised Land.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 4: Jeremiah 30-33
LOVE Jeremiah 32:40: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 4: Jeremiah 30-33
Jeremiah 30
God says again how he will bring His people back from captivity. They will no longer be slaves. He will gather His people in the Promised Land and restore them. God’s judgment will be like a whirlwind.
Jeremiah 31
Israel will have salvation in the latter days. God is faithful to Israel because of His everlasting love for them. He will build up His people, and they will be joyful. God will gather His people who have been scattered. Israel will repent, and God will forgive them. The people will be restored and blessed.
God promises a New Covenant because Israel could not keep the Old Covenant. There will be an inner transformation with the presence of the Holy Spirit. God loves His people and will forgive their sins. Jerusalem shall be restored.
Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah is told by God to purchase property as proof of a future for His people in the Promise Land. God will restore His people. Jeremiah prays for understanding. God responds with the judgment and with the restoration and the New Covenant promise.
Jeremiah 33
There is hope after the judgment for restoration. And, there shall be gladness and a branch of righteousness (Jesus) shall come. The covenant shall be repeated.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 2: Select Passages From Jeremiah 2-29
3a)
Jeremiah 2:23-25; 3:13: Idol worphip, adultery, disobeyed God.
Jeremiah 5:13, 30-31, 23:10b-11: Prophets preach falsehoods and rule by their own authority rather than God’s. The prophets use their power unjustly. They are wicked and godless.
Jeremiah 5:26-28; 7:5-11: People have become deceitful, commit evil deeds, do not seek justice, do not promote the case of the fatherless, and they do not defend the poor. They shed innocent blood. They follow other gods. The people steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known. They are a den of robbers.
b) To acknowledge their guilt before the Lord so that they can receive forgiveness. And, to understand their sins so that they can work to correct them and not continue to make them.
c) I think He has helped me to become more aware of patterns in my sins and worked to help me correct them.
4a) Jeremiah was in pain and anguish over the people’s sins. He longs for them to repent. He feels crushed. He mourns over them. Horror grips him. He weeps day and night over their sins. Their sins overwhelm him.
b) They can stick to what the Bible says about sin and judgment and not put their own spin on things. Christians should not judge others based on their sins, either.
5) The Lord yearns to forgive His people if they just turn to Him. He does not want to punish, but does so to teach them a lesson. He loves deeply and will do anything for His people if they simply obey Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 2: Select Passages From Jeremiah 2-29
There is something about the analogy of me being like clay in God’s hands that I love. He molds me; He’s in control; He can change me.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 26, Day 2: Select Passages From Jeremiah 2-29
In total, there are 14 messages Jeremiah delivers to the people of the coming judgment.
Idolatry was the main sin, along with Israel’s leaders who failed to lead and were corrupt themselves.
God always offers a chance to come back to Him.
Jeremiah 18:1-11
God can do what He pleases with us at any moment in time. He can show mercy or show judgment.
God responds to our choices.
God’s people believed no harm could come to them because they were God’s people. They wanted to believe the happy prophecies of the false prophets. God points out here this is not so.
