week of 2/22

Unit 18  Session 4

THE DAY FORETOLD

MALACHI 3:1-6 ; 4:1-6

 

Key Concept:

A day is coming when God will purify His people and destroy evil.

The prophet Malachi ministered to the returned people of Israel around the same time as Ezra and Nehemiah (somewhere between 460 and 425 B.C.). Malachi's main message, made up of six disputations (arguments) from God, was directed at the spiritual apathy of the people. He warned that though God would destroy their enemies, He would also purify His people. Though the Jews weren't guilty of blatant idolatry like their ancestors, their faith had become joyless and mechanical. Through Malachi, the Lord called them to return truly to Him.

As you examine Malachi 3:1-6 ; 4:1-6:

 

✞   Recognize that God's unchanging qualities include His

    faithfulness to His promises and covenants.

✞   Consider how the fire of purification for God's people

    will also bring the destruction of the wicked.

        

week of 2/15

Unit 18  Session 3

THE PEOPLE WORSHIPED

NEHEMIAH 9:1-3 ; 12:27-30

 

Key Concept:

Reconciliation with God will include confession, worship, and purification.

After hearing the book of the Law read and then praising, repenting, and celebrating, the people observed the Festival of Shelters (Nehemiah 8). The law stipulated that the people observe the Festival of Shelters from the 15th to the 21st day of the month,  and it told them to observe a solemn day of assembly and rest on the 22nd day of the month (Nehemiah 8:18; cf. Leviticus 23:24-34). As Chapter 9 opens, the observance of this festival has just ended. The Israelites then continued their covenant renewal with God.

As you examine Nehemiah 9:1-3 ; 12:27-30:

 

✞   Recognize that the people understood their need to confess 

    their sin and recommit to the covenant.

✞   Reflect on the fact that holiness often requires separation 

    from the things that lead us into sin.

week of 2/8

Unit 18  Session 2

THE LAW TAUGHT

NEHEMIAH 8:2-12

 

Key Concept:

Scripture should lead us to worship, repent, and celebrate.

After completing the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah established measures around the city to protect them from their opponents (Nehemiah 7:1-4). He then reiterated the initial census of returnees recorded in Ezra 2 (Nehemiah 7:5-73a) with the intention of repopulating Jerusalem (7:4-5) and renewing their covenant with God (8:1). To do this, Ezra read the Torah - the first five books of the Bible written by Moses - to the people. The Torah contained the Israelites' history, God's covenant with them, the covenant stipulations, and God's promised blessings and curses.

As you examine Nehemiah 2:2-12:

 

✞   Note the connection that reading God's Word leads us

    to worship Him.

✞   Recognize that rightly understanding God's Word causes

    us both to mourn our sin and rejoice in our salvation

    found in Christ.