Zephaniah records the warnings and judgment against Jerusalem and the Nations for their wickedness. Like the pattern in previous minor prophets, the book concludes with hope for the future and God’s gathering of His people again. Jeremiah is one of the three major prophets, written over 50 years after the Assyrian conquest to after the Babylonian conquest of Judah. Almost 800 years have passed since Moses recorded God’s proclamation that the nations would ask ‘Why has the Lord done this to the Land?’ (Deuteronomy 29:24-28). God foretold that the nation of Israel would abandon the covenant and be judged after coming into the Promised Land. Jeremiah echoes similar judgment and clarifies the offenses of Israel and Judah against God. However, God promises throughout the readings in Jeremiah to not make a “full end” of the collective nation of Israel. It might be difficult for the hardcore Indiana Jones fans to believe, but there will be a day when the Ark of the Covenant is not sought after (Jeremiah 3:16). There will be no “raiders” of the Lost Ark. In those days, there will be something infinitely more valuable that will secure a new and better covenant, not apart from the law, but fulfilling it.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading Links - Week 41
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Jeremiah or Zephaniah, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read 2 Kings 21:19-20, 26. What kind of king was Amon and who was his son? Read 2 Kings 22:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 34:1-3. Who is Josiah’s father according to these passages? How does this compare with what kind of king Josiah was?
Read Genesis 17:10-14. What is the sign of the covenant among God’s people? What happens if this covenant is broken?
Read Jeremiah 2:22. Where does God expect his people to be ‘clean’, if not on the outside? How does this require a different solution?
Read Jeremiah 4:4. What is God saying his people must have done to their hearts? Read Jeremiah 9:25-26. How might this be shocking to a circumcised Jew?
Read Matthew 23:25-26. What is Jesus warning the religious leaders of? Read Matthew 23:33. How will this end for them if they do not address their heart issue?
SHARE IT.
Read John 8:42-47. What does it mean for God to be your father? How is this more meaningful than King David being Josiah’s father?
Read 2 Chronicles 34:28. Have you ever been discouraged that things were not going right? In those moments, what is your response?
Read 2 Chronicles 34:31. How was Josiah’s response obedient regardless of his circumstances? How does Josiah’s response with disaster coming point to a better Josiah, namely Jesus? How does this encourage you to follow Jesus in obedience?
Read 2 Chronicles 35:2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. Who was the last person who encouraged you in Christ? Who was the last person you encouraged in Christ? Who can you encourage this week for Christ?
Read Zephaniah 1:4-6. Is there any hypocrisy in your life that would show Jesus is not the Lord of your life? Do you outwardly bow down to Jesus, but in your heart harbor another God? Confess that to the Lord.
FINAL THOUGHT
God’s people need an inner cleansing from sin, a circumcised heart. That is the mark of a follower of God, but how does this work exactly in relation to Jesus? Paul addresses these things and more in Romans:
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