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A Double sided puzzle!

8/24/2022

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Joshua 21:45 firmly establishes this truth: God keeps his Word. Not one of God's good promises has ever failed, not before the time of Joshua, not after, and not now.

In the New Living Translation Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." 

​Last week I had my kids at the 5 and below store- because let's face it, who doesn't like a bargain? This little gem of a puzzle jumped out at me! I found it very symbolic of the work God does in our lives. I ended up buying the puzzle- who wouldn't want a puzzle that gives you a choice? 

Our choices will have a direct effect on our lives and the lives of generations to come. Walking through the right doors at the right time is serious business and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but rather with prayer and wisdom.
Through it all, I have learned that there are several pointers and signs that reveal God’s will for His children.

No door that God opens will ever contradict Scripture. For example, a man who thought he was supposed to divorce his Christian wife in order to spend the rest of his life in mission work overseas is not from God and not supported by Scripture. This man could easily go and do missionary work overseas and not have to divorce his wife, or he could see if she wanted to go with him. Instead, he got an unbiblical divorce, so how is supposed to witness for Christ when he is contradicting the Bible and disobeying Jesus’ command to not divorce except for sexual immorality? Clearly, that is not God’s will because loving God means obeying His commandments (2 John 1:6). If someone says they know Him but doesn’t keep His commandments, he is not of God (1 John 2:3), and God calls him or her a liar (1 John 2:4). Obedience to God glorifies Him.

​Jesus is the one “who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens" and sets before us “an open door, which no one is able to shut" (Revelation 3:8-9). If the door won’t open for you, then that door may not be the one God wants you to walk through. Jimmying the lock or trying to break the door down won’t work.  Just pray for God to reveal to you which door you are to walk through and make it obvious to you so you’ll know for sure.

If you can manage to go through a door and not need God’s help for anything, then you might be walking through a door in your own flesh and depending on the strength.  If you’re not depending on God to open a door, then you are depending on your own self.  That’s a bad plan, and I ought to know; I’ve done it!  God wants us to be totally dependent upon Him because any work we do is for Him anyway and for His glory. Jesus said we can’t do anything without Him (John 15:5).  We can’t even produce any fruit without Him, unless it’s wax fruit  (John 15:4). You know the automatic doors you find at the stores? These doors open because they have an electronic eye and they can sense movement. In the same way, we might have to simply walk right up to the door that’s shut before we’ll know whether God’s going to open it or not.  God may not open a door until He sees you walk right up to it.  He may be waiting for you to “go" before you can “enter." Perhaps He’s waiting for you to take that first step of faith.

​Jeremiah tried to talk God out of him being a prophet of God because he thought he was just too young, but later, when Jeremiah thought about not speaking God’s Word, he said, “If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot"(Jer 20:9). Like Paul, he could not help but preach the gospel, and wrote, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel" (1st Cor 9:16)! If you have an overwhelming passion to do something and you’d even do it for free if you had the ability, then God might be opening that door for you in whatever it is He’s calling you to.

The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). While God assures us that He is clear on His plans for us and that those plans are for good, it’s not always easy figuring out where God is leading us. God may be trying to reach you to encourage you, guide you and lead you down a path of greatness. If you want to know if God is directing your down a certain path, it’s important that you pay attention to the signs. He will put these things in front of you so certain things will be revealed to you. Here are five signs God is opening a new door in your life. 

You Feel Like Something is Missing_sometimes, we begin to feel a strong sense of emptiness, as if something important is missing from our lives when God is beginning to open a door for us. All Christians have feelings of spiritual emptiness from time to time. This is a sign that God is pointing you in a different direction. Sin may be a big reason for your spiritual emptiness – possibly the sin of apathy toward God or sluggishness in your daily life. Also, how we feel physically can impact how we feel spiritually. Remember, God is close to those who are in need of direction. Reach out to God through prayer, and meditation and ask God what door He may be opening in your life. When you seek, He will reveal this to you

God often opens doors in ways we never imagined. Sometimes, God is opening a door in your life to get your attention so that He can guide you to your higher calling. This may translate into a career shift. As Mark 10:45 reminds us “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” That means that we should live lives that reflect our service to others. If your current job doesn’t reflect this and you feel like something is missing or isn’t feeling right, Jesus is trying to get your attention. The door God is opening up in your life may not be revealed to us overnight. However, through the use of gifts and talents in our careers, many of us discover what feels right and grow in our development.

Sometimes when God is opening a new door in your life, you feel a calling to do more for others because you simply feel led to. The Bible tells us, “Now you belong to Him…in order that you might be useful in service to God” (Romans 7:4). One of the greatest ways to displays God’s love and reflect Christ’s presence is through acts of kindness and giving back. Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. If you feel an underlying urge to do something bigger than yourself, to benefit the greater good without any need of reward, God is leading you to a Christ-filled life. Listen to Him. When you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling.

Starting a new relationship is a big indicator that God is opening a new door in your life. It’s important that you’re open to listening to what the people in your life have to say, especially the spiritual ones. They will guide you, especially if you’ve fallen off course with God. These people will also affirm you. They are placed in your life by God so that you can recognize your full potential and God might be sending an important message through them. On the other side, be mindful of people who take you off course with God.

As Christians, we want to know where God is leading us. Sometimes, we may even be anxious to discover the door that God is opening in our life. It’s not always easy figuring out what God is doing with our lives. We want to know the one grand purpose God has for us and what paths Jesus is directing us down so we can make the best decisions. Ultimately, God is directing us to love Him, love others, obey Him, and take care of those around us. If we can concentrate on fulfilling the responsibilities He’s given us, God will open up even bigger opportunities for us.

One major aspect of discerning an open door is recognizing whether it will line up to Scripture. Quite simply, the Lord will not “bless” you by giving you the opportunity to sin or contradict His word. Chances are, if your open door causes you to act according to fruit of the flesh, described in Galatians 5:19-21, this is not from God.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will,  he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-16)

​Proverbs 11:14 reminds us that victory is won through the advice of many counselors. If you are unsure if this next opportunity is from God, seek a person who operates in wisdom.

If you are experiencing a high level of discomfort in your current situation, this open door may be God’s opportunity to release you from your peril. This does not mean that discomfort is a sign you're in the wrong place. God uses struggle and suffering to sharpen and refine us, and birth something new.
But sometimes, we hold on tightly to situations that are destructive. In our quest to “not give up,” we stand in God’s way when he provides a way of escape. Much like the story of Joseph, we have to be willing to move from the prison to the palace (Genesis 41). We have to be willing to allow God to transition us into our new thing. Remember, when God is calling you to release something it is not defeat, but victory! 

"When will things work out for me?” you ask yourself during a low moment of the day. Discouraged, disheartened and stuck in a rut, it is sometimes tough to see beyond the closed door.
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Waiting for God to move mightily in your life is difficult, especially when your desires have not yet been met. It is tempting to give up at the first, second or even the third closed door. But God expects us to persevere until the right open door is made known to us.
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So, “Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35) A closed door doesn’t mean that it’s over for you. Contrarily, it means that God is getting you ready for something bigger, better, and far greater than before.

You have come too far to back down and quit. For God is saying to you today, “Don’t let closed doors bother you. Keep on moving forward. Where you are now is only temporary, it is not where you are going to remain.”
God is giving you all that you need to accomplish His best plan for your life. When my mother was a young girl, she loved to make puzzles. I remember her telling me how she and her sisters would sit on their living room floor for hours and patiently assemble a puzzle. They’d set all of the pieces into their proper places to uncover the full picture. If just one piece was not in place, the picture couldn’t come together. In the same way, God will use everything that you’ve gone through to move you closer to His good plan. Just as God used Goliath to strengthen David, He will use your closed doors to strengthen and advance you.

Thus, have faith and trust God, for He is at work in the lives of His people. No matter what you are facing, don’t give up. Try again, reach higher, think bigger, pray bolder.

There is no limit to what God can do in your life. God wants to bless you, and He wants to increase you. Keep persisting. Today can be a breakthrough day.
In 1853-1854, English Artist, William Holman Hunt created an exquisite work of art titled, “The Light of the World.” In the beautifully rendered, symbolic painting, Jesus is standing at a door knocking. Yet, there is not a doorknob displayed on the painting. It was depicted that the artist once explained the symbolism stating, that ‘the door he had painted, was the door to a person’s heart.’
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Trust God, even if you can’t understand what’s going on in your life. Seek Him, and He will shed a light that will lead and show you the way to the open door. He is there for you; lovingly waiting, caring, knocking… and He is asking to come into your life.

If you are in a current situation, God could be redirecting your path. He could be leading you to something better–or the right course for you. Trust God’s wisdom by seeking His will for your life.

One of the signs that God is leading you somewhere else is that new doors are opening for you. Usually, it is hard to take a risk on new opportunities because you are already used to what you have. However, these could actually be greater, and God will probably use you for His glory in new fields.
So, do not be afraid of taking the risk in trying the new opportunity that God opens for you. If you do not step out of your comfort zone, you will never reach the place that God has prepared for you. Always have faith in God’s plan because He will never leave you alone in the transition period. The change in your passion could be a sign that God wants you to pursue a different path now. So, you should search your heart and find out what interests you most now. Maybe it can give you a clue to where God is leading you next. A door shut before you probably tells you to turn around and start moving on to a new destination. If this is God’s will, someday, you will be thankful for the closed door. Whether you are already convinced that God wants you to move somewhere else or not, you need to pray a lot. Seek His will through His Word and other confirmations from Him. You must also ask for wisdom in discerning which way He wants you to go. Therefore, keep praying until everything becomes clear enough.

​Jesus Christ says, “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name" (Rev 3:8), so if you are obedient to God, then you are more likely to have God open a door without your help, but the door that is never touched is a door that never opens. Suppose some things start to fall apart. It could be a sign that you are doing something opposite to God’s will. Usually, He will correct you in the way that you will listen or pay attention. If you are in a current situation, God could be redirecting your path. He could be leading you to something better–or the right course for you.

​Trust God’s wisdom by seeking His will for your life.


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https://biblehub.com/zechariah/13-9.htm
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Tribe of Judah, future full inclusion of humanity

7/17/2022

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The tribe of Judah, its conquests, and the centrality of its capital in Jerusalem for the worship of the god Yahweh figure prominently in the Deuteronomistic history, encompassing the books of Deuteronomy through II Kings, which most scholars agree was reduced to written form, although subject to exilic and post-exilic alterations and emendations, during the reign of the Judahite reformer Josiah from 641–609 BCE.[1]

According to the account in the Book of Joshua, following a partial conquest of Canaanby the Israelite tribes (the Jebusites still held Jerusalem),[2] Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes. Judah's divinely ordained portion is described in Joshua 15[3]as encompassing most of the southern portion of the Land of Israel, including the Negev, the Wilderness of Zin and Jerusalem. However, the consensus of modern scholars is that this conquest never occurred.[4][5][6] Other scholars point to extra-biblical references to Israel and Canaan as evidence for the potential historicity of the conquest.[7][8]

In the opening words of the Book of Judges, following the death of Joshua, the Israelites "asked the Lord" which tribe should be first to go to occupy its allotted territory, and the tribe of Judah was identified as the first tribe.[9] According to the narrative in the Book of Judges, the tribe of Judah invited the tribe of Simeon to fight with them in alliance to secure each of their allotted territories. As is the case with Joshua, most scholars do not believe that the book of Judges contains reliable history.[10][11][12]

The Book of Samuel describes God's repudiation of a monarchic line arising from the northern Tribe of Benjamin due to the sinfulness of King Saul, which was then bestowed onto the tribe of Judah for all time in the person of King David. In Samuel's account, after the death of Saul, all the tribes other than Judah remained loyal to the House of Saul, while Judah chose David as its king. However, after the death of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and successor to the throne of Israel, all the other Israelite tribes made David, who was then the king of Judah, king of a re-united Kingdom of Israel. The Book of Kings follows the expansion and unparalleled glory of the United Monarchy under King Solomon. A majority of scholars believe that the accounts concerning David and Solomon's territory in the "united monarchy" are exaggerated, and a minority believe that the "united monarchy" never existed at all.[13][14][15] Disagreeing with the latter view, Old Testament scholar Walter Dietrich contends that the biblical stories of circa 10th-century BCE monarchs contain a significant historical kernel and are not simply late fictions.[16]

On the accession of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, in c. 930 BCE, the ten northern tribes under the leadership of Jeroboam from the Tribe of Ephraim split from the House of David to create the Northern Kingdom in Samaria. The Book of Kings is uncompromising in its low opinion of its larger and richer neighbor to the north, and understands its conquest by Assyria in 722 BCE as divine retribution for the Kingdom's return to idolatry.[17]

The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the House of David. These tribes formed the Kingdom of Judah, which existed until Judah was conquered by Babylon in c. 586 BCE and the population deported.

When the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, residual tribal affiliations were abandoned, probably because of the impossibility of reestablishing previous tribal land holdings. However, the special religious roles decreed for the Levites and Kohanim were preserved, but Jerusalem became the sole place of worship and sacrifice among the returning exiles, northerners and southerners alike.

According to the biblical account, at its height, the tribe of Judah was the leading tribe of the Kingdom of Judah, and occupied most of the territory of the kingdom, except for a small region in the north east occupied by Benjamin, and an enclave towards the south west which was occupied by Simeon. Bethlehem and Hebron were initially the main cities within the territory of the tribe.

The lion is the symbol of the tribe of Judah. It is often represented in Jewish art, such as this sculpture outside a synagogueThe size of the territory of the tribe of Judah meant that in practice it had four distinct regions:[citation needed]
  • The Negev (Hebrew: south) – the southern portion of the land, which was highly suitable for pasture.
  • The Shephelah (Hebrew: lowland) – the coastal region, between the highlands and the Mediterranean sea,[dubious – discuss] which was used for agriculture, in particular for grains.
  • The wilderness – the barren region immediately next to the Dead Sea, and below sea level; it was wild, and barely inhabitable, to the extent that animals and people which were made unwelcome elsewhere, such as bears, leopards, and outlaws, made it their home. In biblical times, this region was further subdivided into three sections – the wilderness of En Gedi,[18] the wilderness of Judah,[19] and the wilderness of Maon.[20]
  • The hill country – the elevated plateau situated between the Shephelah and the wilderness,[dubious – discuss]with rocky slopes but very fertile soil. This region was used for the production of grain, olives, grapes, and other fruit, and hence produced oil and wine.

According to the Torah, the tribe consisted of descendants of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and of Leah. Some biblical scholars view this as an etiological myth created in hindsight to explain the tribe's name and connect it to the other tribes in the Israelite confederation.[21] With Leah as a matriarch, biblical scholars regard the tribe as having been believed by the text's authors to have been part of the original Israelite confederation.[21]
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Like the other tribes of the Kingdom of Judah, the tribe of Judah is entirely absent from the ancient Song of Deborah, rather than present but described as unwilling to assist in the battle between Israelites and their enemy. Traditionally, this has been explained as being due to the southern kingdom being too far away to be involved in the battle, but Israel Finkelstein et al. claim the alternative explanation that the southern kingdom was simply an insignificant rural backwater at the time the poem was written.[22]

Character

Many of the Jewish leaders and prophets of the Hebrew Bible claimed membership in the tribe of Judah. For example, the literary prophets Isaiah, Amos, Habakkuk, Joel, Micah, Obadiah, Zechariah, and Zephaniah, all belonged to the tribe.[citation needed]
The genealogies given in Matthew 1:1–6 and Luke 3:23–34 in the New Testament describe Jesus as a descendant of David, Matthew through Solomon and Luke through Nathan.[23]

Fate

The Lion of Judah on the municipal emblem of JerusalemAs part of the Kingdom of Judah, the tribe of Judah survived the destruction of Israel by the Assyrians, and instead was subjected to the Babylonian captivity; when the captivity ended, the distinction between the tribes were lost in favour of a common identity. Since Simeon and Benjamin had been very much the junior partners in the Kingdom of Judah, it was Judah that gave its name to the identity—that of the Jews.

After the fall of Jerusalem, Babylonia (modern day Iraq), would become the focus of Jewish life for 1,000 years. The first Jewish communities in Babylonia started with the exile of the tribe of Judah to Babylon by Jehoiachin in 597 BCE as well as after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE.[24] Many more Jews migrated to Babylon in CE 135 after the Bar Kokhba revolt and in the centuries after.[24]

The triumph or victory of "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah", who is able to open the scroll and its seven seals, forms part of the vision of the writer of the Book of Revelation in the New Testament.[25]
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Ethiopia's traditions, recorded and elaborated in a 13th-century treatise, the "Kebre Negest", assert descent from a retinue of Israelites who returned with the Queen of Sheba from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, by whom she had conceived the Solomonic dynasty's founder, Menelik I. Both Christian and Jewish Ethiopian tradition has it that these immigrants were mostly of the Tribes of Dan and Judah;[26] hence the Ge'ez motto Mo`a 'Anbessa Ze'imnegede Yihuda ("The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has conquered"), one of many names for Jesus of Nazareth.
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GOD is Jenovah Shalom...

7/11/2022

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There are many names for God, but one we don't often hear enough in prayers is "Jehovah Shalom." We may have encountered both words separately, but often not together. Let's dive into this name for God, Jehovah Shalom, and see where it appears in Scripture. Then we'll analyze the significance of this name and how the name has relevance for believers today.
The Meaning of Jehovah ShalomJehovah Shalom, translated “The Lord is Peace,” is one of many Old Testament names for God and is first used by Gideon when the angel of the Lord appeared to him at Ophrah in Judges chapter six. 

Jehovah Shalom in ScriptureIn the days of Gideon, the children of Israel were living in a constant state of fear and trepidation. The Midianites, a once defeated enemy, had reemerged from the East and begun plundering Israel with an overwhelming mob-like force. Gideon was not immune from the surge of anxiety and wave of uncertainty that had swept the nation.
In fact, as Matthew Henry writes, “distressed; he (Gideon) was threshing his wheat, not in the proper place, but by the wine-press, in some private, unsuspected corner, for fear of the Midianites.” Fearful of attack and worried about the safety of their families, the Israelites, like Gideon took to hiding in dens, “in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds” (Judges 6:2).
It was in this season of personal and national unrest that the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah, commissioning him to lead Israel and deliver them from their tormentors. As Matthew Henry writes, “the day of the greatest distress is God’s time to appear for people’s relief.” This was certainly true of Gideon’s calling.


At Ophrah, the Lord reminded the newly minted warrior and soon-to-be judge that He, the Lord, had been with the Israelites every stage of their journey and was with them still (Judges 6:8-10).
He was with Gideon in the present (Judges 6:12), and He would be with him in the trials and battles to come (Judges 6:14,16). As the Lord had strengthened Joshua on the eve of entering the Promised Land (Joshua 1:9), the Lord encouraged Gideon, “peace to you, do not fear, you shall not die” (Judges 6:23).
Overwhelmed by the confirmation and commendation of the Lord, Gideon built an altar at Ophrah of the Abiezrites and named it “The Lord is Peace” or “Jehovah Shalom,” a tribute and reminder of the Lord’s provision and promise of peace.

The Significance of Jehovah ShalomAs we often see in Scripture, the names of God reveal significant attributes of His nature. This is especially true of Jehovah Shalom.

On numerous occasions in the Old Testament, the God of Israel distinguished Himself from the false gods of surrounding peoples by making His presence known in the midst of Israel.  (Zephaniah 3:17). Jehovah was very much alive and invested in the well-being of His covenant people. More importantly, He was active in pursuing and maintaining an intimate relationship with His children, something no other people or god could boast in.
However, despite the many manifestations of God’s presence, it was common for the children of Israel to grow weary of surrounding powers or present circumstances. In their fear, the Israelites would often forget God’s miracles and let go of His promises. In doing so, their fear and forgetfulness were the precursors to sin that eventually separated them from the blessing of God’s presence.


Yet even in their spiritual lapses, forgetfulness, and unfaithfulness, God never abandoned His people. He was always near to:
  • Provide for their needs (Psalms 81:10, Psalms 10:3),
  • Protect them from those who sought to do them harm (Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 18:2),
  • And remind them of His prevailing love (Isaiah 54:10).
When the Israelites kept their eyes on the Lord, obeyed His commands, and held on to His promises, they found peace in His presence. As it is written in Isaiah, “the steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
According to Dr. Tony Evans, God is “the one who brings calm where there is chaos, stability where there is struggle.” Those who trusted in Him found comfort and calm in the midst of the worst storms, struggles, or battles.
The Relevance of Jehovah Shalom TodayHebrews 13:8 says that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” The power of Jehovah Shalom and the peace He offers are very much present and available to His children and church today.

God is always true to His promises. Scripture reminds us that He is faithful to provide an abundance of peace to all who call upon His name and choose to abide in His presence.
Jesus knew that His followers, both present and future, would face challenges and dangers in their ministry, but He didn’t want them (or us) to live in fear. He said, “peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Furthermore, He reminded us that, “these things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In His presence, we have the power to overcome the stress of the present or anxiety and of the future. As 1 Peter 5:7says, we are to “cast all of our cares and anxiety on Him because He cares for us.”

Peace is the antithesis of fear. It provides perspective, encourages hope, builds confidence, inspires courage, and affirms trust in the power of God.
In a world where people are increasingly overwhelmed by stress, conflict, depression, anxiety, and financial, emotional, and physical uncertainty, the presence of Jehovah Shalom provides a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6). This is why those who are consistently immersed in the presence of Godand rely on Him for strength bear the fruit of peace in their own lives, which further ministers to those around them (Galatians 5:22).
All who are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt, stress, or uncertainty can trust that Jehovah Shalom cares for them and will never leave them. As it is written in 2 Thessalonians,“now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
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We cannot control the uncertainties and circumstances of life, but in the presence of Jehovah Shalom, we can find hope, joy, strength, and peace to face each day.


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Forgiveness!

7/5/2022

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​"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, 'The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?'" (Zech 3:1-2). Not only is Zechariah 3 a passage that points to the Messiah (see Zech 3:8-9), it provides us with a clue for understanding his mysterious identity. Notice something odd about Zechariah 3:2. Grammatically, the text should say, "The LORD said to Satan, 'I rebuke you, Satan!" But oddly, the LORD in verse 2 speaks in the first person ("I") to Satan about the LORD in the third person ("He"). What's going on here?! The larger context makes it clear that the LORD who is speaking to Satan is the angel of the LORD (see vv. 6-7), who is mysteriously identified in the Bible as being WITH the LORD God of Israel, and also AS the LORD God of Israel. There are obviously not two LORDs in the Bible, but one LORD who is the angel of the LORD and the LORD simultaneously. This dual identity not only helps us make sense of Zechariah 12:10 (where God says "you shall look upon me whom you have pierced, and mourn for him"), but also gives a great hope. After all, what is the angel of the LORD doing in this passage? He is defending a dirty sinner, and providing him with the gift of forgiveness and righteousness. "He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, 'Remove the filthy garments from him.' Again he said to him, 'See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.' Then I said, 'Let them put a clean turban on his head.' So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by" (Zech 3:4-5; see also Zech 12:8, 10; 13:1). This is not just something he did for Joshua. It is something he does for you and me when we put our faith in the Messiah Jesus!
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WHY ARE MY PRAYERS NOT GETTING ANSWERED?

7/3/2022

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Have you been praying about something for ages with no apparent results? Are you beginning to wonder if anyone is listening to your prayers? The frustration of unanswered prayer is pretty common but there is much that the Bible has to say on the matter. Do not despair! There are good reasons for God’s choices and there is much hope for you. God is good, He loves you, He is powerful, and He is listening. So what’s going wrong?

​PRAYER PROBLEMS Jesus assures His disciples in John 16:23-34 that whatever they ask of the Father in His name will be given to them. Later, John writes from experience that asking in the name of Jesus means in line with His will: And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15) This is a concrete biblical promise, but there are a number of reasons why we might not see immediate breakthrough. The first is that we may be mistaken about what God’s will is in a situation.

Sometimes God has a better idea. It could be that what you’re asking is not in line with God’s plan and will, because He’s cooking something superior up instead. I have certainly experienced this myself, and even had the privilege of being able to see with hindsight the breathtaking wonder of His genius plan. This removed any hint of disappointment that God didn’t go with my feeble ideas. We don’t always get to see why God chose differently, but as He says in Isaiah 55, His ways are higher and better than ours—God thinks on another level. So that’s the first thing. Sometimes it’s a no, but a no you’ll appreciate later. We can take our prayers to God but it’s always good to go in humility, seeking His will and plan in a situation. But I think you already know that.

Secondly it could be a matter of persistence. If a prayer isn’t answered with a direct yes or no, it could be that God is simply saying “wait”. The reason for the wait could be that His perfect timing involves more elements coming together than just the one thing you are focussed on. It could be that He is asking us to persist with increasing faith, since it takes greater and greater faith to keep going in the absence of visible change. Sometimes there is a tipping point of collective prayers which God waits for before He acts. Prayer is a choice and one that is not always easy to make, and our collective will and persistence to keep praying over time can mean the difference between something happening… or not. God invites us to take part in His actions in the world in this way. Jesus encourages us in Luke 18 to pray and not give up. It’s a chapter worth reading if you find yourself in this predicament. Take encouragement from saints in the past who saw prayers answered after decades of perseverance, because it does happen. If there’s not immediate result or reason to think the answer is “no”, then keep going! But I think you know that, too. Thirdly there may be a blockage. Isaiah describes it like this: Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2) In the previous chapter, God exhorts Israel to make sure that their walk matches their talk as they pray and fast. Otherwise it won’t count for anything. “Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.” (Is 58:4b) According to this passage, we learn that fasting should generally make our voice heard on high, but the way they were going about it was wrong and was not going to achieve results. Soberly take note as God talks to Israel in this way, as a window into how things work from God’s point of view.

​We need to be walking rightly with God and with our fellow man in order to be heard on high. And in case you’re wondering if this is just a problem for the Israelites in the Old Covenant, the same principles apply in the New. Peter admonishes married men in this way: Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7) Clearly, Peter believes that treating your wife wrongly can actually hinder your prayers. God won’t listen to you until you put things right! It is even spelled out for all of us—male, female, married and single—a few verses later: For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12) Again in the next chapter, Peter makes it plain that God’s response to our prayers is affected by the way that we live: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)

​POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE PRAYERS James, brother of Jesus, gives Elijah to us as an example of what God can do in response to the prayers of someone who is taking Him seriously. In the last chapter of his book, James draws a correlation between confessing our sins and being healed, seeing answers to our prayers. His conclusion is that Elijah was just an ordinary person like us, but that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (James 5:15-20).

​How do we become righteous like Elijah? Confessing our sin is highlighted as being of the utmost importance. We have another concrete promise here in 1 John 1:9 that confession, agreeing with God about our sin, leads to God cleansing us from all unrighteousness. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The anchor for this promise is in God’s character: He is faithful and just. It is a promise. It is also conditional—we are only cleansed if we confess our sin. But this will definitely do the trick, thanks to Yeshua’s sacrifice on our behalf which took our sin away as far as the east is from the west. Thank you, Jesus! Something I have done from time to time is invite the Holy Spirit to highlight anything that was displeasing to Him in my life, written it all down, written 1 John 1:9 over the top of it, and destroyed the list completely. Gone. If we do this on a regular basis, even just mentally, whenever we become aware of sin, then we are walking in the light. Walking in righteousness. There is a beautiful illustration of this in the book of Zechariah. Joshua, the high priest (the high priest!) was dirty with sin and Satan, the accuser, was pointing it all out. Here’s what happens: Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by. And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua,“Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.” In the same manner, even if you’ve been a believer for ages, you can still have filthy garments of sin. But God can give us brand new robes of righteousness and stop the voice of the accuser. Moreover, see what God says next to Joshua: “If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.” Once again, there is the condition, “if”… but not only has he got new clothes appropriate for being in heavenly places with God, he is given responsibility, authority, and access by God. If we will walk in God’s ways.

​KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT Learning to walk in God’s ways is a lifetime journey and of course cannot—simply cannot—be done without the power of the Holy Spirit. But as we learn to walk in God’s ways, with His help, we are changed from glory to glory, from the inside out. We grow in family resemblance to our Father God as we spend time with Him. We become more and more familiar with what makes Him happy or not, and more attuned to His perspective as we meditate on His word. We understand better who He is, and the authority that He has over the universe. We start to appreciate what it means that He has given all authority to Jesus, and that we are also sent in His name. We understand that the laws of nature do not apply to Him; that all of creation is under His feet. We adjust from being the most important person in our lives to allowing Him to call the shots, and maintain a posture of readiness to obey, ready to leap into action at His word, like an athlete poised at the starting blocks, just waiting for the signal. We get to know who we really are as His children, who He is as our Father, and what it means to have been adopted into the most royal family there is! We slowly absorb what we have inherited in our Messiah, and learn how to appropriate the authority entrusted to us in His name. Eventually, the word “impossible” becomes irrelevant. “The wonderful thing about praying,” said Corrie ten Boom, “is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible”. Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
(Psalm 86:11)

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Historical Accuracy of the Bible

5/18/2022

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 One of the decisive proofs for the divine origin of the Bible is the prolific presence of predictive prophecy. Particularly impressive is the way God prompted numerous spokesmen to foreshadow New Testament events during the four millennia preceding Christ’s arrival on Earth. Not only did the Old Testament prophets predict that Jesus would be born and then die an atoning death, they also anticipated the establishment of the Church of Christ. What’s more, the 8th-century B.C. Messianic prophet Isaiah meticulously documented the fact that a “new name” would be given to the followers of Christ. This new name stands in stark contrast to the host of religious names and titles that mere humans have invented over the past 2,000 years. Nevertheless, God pre-planned in eternity to bestow upon the followers of Christ the name “Christian.” 

​So, how Is the Bible historically accurate?... Do we have the correct books in the Bible today?... Hasn't the Bible been changed by men over time? 

As Christians, we believe the ultimate authority is the word of God. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead us in all truth (John 16:13). It also affirms that God will preserve his Word, meaning his Word will supernaturally be kept pure (Psalm 12:6-7).

There are many things Christians can research, both in God's word and externally, to build a good case for the reliability of the Bible. Namely, canonization of the Bible, historical accuracy of the Bible, Messianic prophecies, and New Testament manuscripts.


Canonization of the Bible 

One of the most important issues when it comes to the Bible is the number of books. Protestant Bibles contain 66 books. Whereas, Catholic Bibles hold 73 books, the Ethiopic Bible has 83. Who is correct? As Christians, we know the voice of God by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The issue of Canon, meaning: an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture, can be broken down into three categories:
The first is Community Determined (Roman Catholic Model), the second is Historically Determined (A Historical Investigation Exclusively), and third as Self Authenticating (Studying the content within the Bible).

The Self Authenticating Model, as Michael Kruger professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary calls it, should be the model Christians follow. It leaves no neutral ground for the skeptic and sets Jesus and his Word as the authority.



There are three questions we can ask when it comes to recognizing which books should be biblical canon.  


1.) Apostolic Origin: 

Was this book written by an apostle or an associate of an apostle?
When we review the list of books, can we connect any of the authors to the original apostles in the first century? This is important because it gives weight and trust to the book in question. If we have a book with an unknown writer, it should lead us to investigate this text a little more.


2.) Corporate Reception: 

Was the early church receptive to this book in the 1st century? 
If the book in question was rotating among the early church and accepted as the Word of God, it can be trusted. Origen, an early church father, produced a list of books in the New Testament by 250 A.D.


3.) Cross Reference:

Do these books agree with each other and with God’s voice? 
This is important because if a book agrees with another book, we are able to see unity in Scripture. Many books found in the Catholic Bible contain historical errors and contradictions. This is important to note because God does not contradict himself (Numbers 23:19).

We don't pick and choose which books belong in the Bible; we recognize the voice of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. We look at the content within these books and build a reasonable case. We also ask important questions and allow God to lead us in the path of truth.


​Historical Accuracy of the Bible

The
 Bible describes events and places throughout thousands of years of history. Many of these places and events are verified from Archaeology. Archaeology cannot prove if the Bible is the inspired word of God, but it can show us if things found in the Bible are true or false. By excavating biblical sites, archaeologists have proven many facts claimed in the word of God.


Example 1: Lysanias

Critics had a problem with Luke 3:1 where it speaks of "Lysanias" as being the governor/ruler of Abilene during the time of John the Baptist. This was counted as an "error" in the Bible until an inscription was found with the name "Lysanias" as a ruler in Abilene. This discovery introduced the theory of two rulers with the same name – one about 50 years prior to the one mentioned in Luke 13.


Example 2:The Hittites

Critics have claimed the Hittites (Genesis 15:20, Exodus 3:8, Joshua 1:4) were mythical people. But by the end of the 19th century, monuments were discovered by William Wright proving that these people did exist. The Bible was right once again.


Example 3: Pontius Pilate 

Many scholars began to doubt the existence of Pontius Pilate throughout history. That all changed in 1961 when a piece of limestone stone was discovered that had inscribed the name "Pontius Pilate.” An Italian archaeologist, Dr. Antonio Frova, came across this discovery while excavating an ancient Roman theatre in Caesarea, Israel. In 2018, archaeologists also identified “a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring bearing his name,” according to this New York Times article.



Example 4: Isaiah and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls was one of the greatest discoveries in modern times. Before this 1947 discovery, many skeptics questioned the copies of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Skeptics said the book had been changed and revised by men throughout the centuries. It wasn't until scholars dated the Great Isaiah Scroll (one of the original seven Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947 in the caves of Qumran), that they discovered the book of Isaiah’s amazing accuracy. The Dead Sea Scrolls copy of Isaiah dates 1,000 years prior to the copy previously possessed.


Messianic Prophecies  

Many religions have books that claim to be the truth, but only the Bible contains verified prophecies. Fulfilled prophecy is solid evidence that God is the divine author of The Bible.
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Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Centuries later, we read in Matthew 1:18,25 that Mary was indeed a virgin, yet she delivered Jesus into this world.

Not only was this child prophesied to be born from a virgin, but he was to come from Bethlehem, according to Micah 5:2. In Matthew 2:1 we discover that this exact prophecy happened, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

The crucifixion was a major event in history, but is this a prophecy? Yes. In John 19:23-24 we get a picture of how Jesus was crucified: soldiers cast lots for his garments and pierced his hands. We see the same language and detail prophesied in Psalms 22 many centuries before the historical event.

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New Testament Manuscripts

Critics
 always look for new ways to attack the New Testament and its reliability. Many say it’s not reliable as a historical document despite having over 5,600 Greek copies in possession today, which is more than we have of the work of Homer, Plato, Lucretius, and Aristotle.

In addition to this, the New Testament is about 99.5% textually pure. This means the variants are grammatical and minor that occurred in copy over time, but there has been no change in teaching or doctrine. This should give us confidence that we follow true teachings passed down by Jesus and the Apostles.

As Christians, we must believe the word of God and trust in God’s Spirit of truth to “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Our foundation must start with this truth in mind. If we root our ultimate authority in history or external data, it can change or put us on shaky ground with a skeptic because it goes through human hands to determine what is reliable and what is not. As Christians, we must believe the ultimate authority is the word of God.
This article is adapted from the author’s free video series, “Is The Bible Really Complete?”
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Edward Antonio is the Founder of Elevating Your Life and a student of theology and church history. He lives in Orange County, CA and is part of Harvest Christian Fellowship. Find him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mredwardantonio/ or answering Bible questions at: https://elevatingyourlife.org/.

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Testimony and ark of covenant

1/19/2022

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The first mention of the ark of the testimony is in Exodus 25:10. God gave Moses specific instructions for building a tabernacle as they traveled in the wilderness. The tabernacle would be the place where the glory of God would dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8–9). Among hundreds of other descriptive instructions for this tabernacle, God told Moses to build an ark of the testimony, also called the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:21–22). The words testimony and covenant both refer to the conditional agreement made between God and the children of Israel at Mount Sinai. An ark is, literally, a box or chest. So the ark of the testimony is the “box of the agreement.”

The ark of the testimony was a wooden box, covered in gold inside and out. It had four exterior rings through which poles could be attached for carrying. No one but the high priest could touch the ark (Numbers 4:15). To do so would result in instant death, as happened with a man named Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1–7). God was beginning to teach His people about His holiness and their unworthiness. He demonstrated to them that His commands were not suggestions to be negotiated. He wanted to teach them to obey Him in all things, whether or not they understood the reason for the rules.

The lid of the ark was also made of gold and formed a seat between two cherubim, called the mercy seat. It was there that God would meet with His people (Exodus 25:22). Inside the ark of the testimony, Moses placed the tablets of the Law that God gave him on the mountain. The ark was placed inside the tabernacle in the most holy place, where only the high priest could go once a year (Exodus 26:34). Through it all, God was painting a picture to help us understand what is required for sinful man to come into the presence of a holy God.

The ark of the testimony got its name from the fact that it would be the housing for God’s testimony to His people. His Law was not only verbal, but written, etched in stone (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 5:22), so there could be no excuse for disobedience. Hebrews 9:4 tells us that, later, the Israelites added to the stone tablets within the ark of the testimony a jar of manna (Exodus 16:32–33) and Aaron’s rod that budded (Numbers 17:8–10).

The ark of the testimony represented the presence of God with His people, and His power went with them wherever they took the ark (Joshua 3:6; Numbers 10:33–35). The enemies of Israel, the Philistines, stole the ark once (1 Samuel 5:1), hoping its power would help them. They set it in their idol’s temple and waited for the good luck it would bring. But calamity broke out among the Philistines, until they begged their leaders to send the ark back to Israel (1 Samuel 5:4, 6, 9, 11–12). God demonstrated that He was not a good-luck charm whose power could be had by whoever captured His ark. The power was not in the ark of the testimony itself; the ark only represented the presence of God with His people.

Since the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 14:9), God no longer uses an ark of the testimony to dwell with His people. We are under a new testament or covenant. At Pentecost, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer (Acts 2:1–4, 38–39). We become His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we have been born again by faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:3, 16), we take God with us everywhere we go. It did the Philistines no good to harbor the ark, because the ark had no power in itself if God was not on their side. Likewise, we do not need physical items—crosses, images, holy relics—to carry the power of God with us because He already abides in us. That awareness of His presence, called the fear of the Lord (Psalm 19:19; Proverbs 15:33), helps us make decisions that honor Him.
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An introduction into the book of Zechariah;

11/19/2019

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​A INTRODUCTION on the book of Zechariah;

Several new commentaries on the book of Zechariah have appeared during the past few years.1 In these commentaries the socio-historical background and literary history are discussed in detail, but the discussion of key themes or the message is neglected. Wolters2 has no discussion of key themes3 in his "Introduction" while Petterson4 and Boda5 allocated only a few pages to "Message" or "Key themes." The aim of this article is to give more attention to this neglected area of Zechariah research, especially the first eight chapters.

B BRIEF REMARKS ON THE LITERARY- AND HISTORICAL CONTEXTS OF ZECHARIAH 1-8

The book of Zechariah is the longest of the Book of the Twelve Prophets (HosMal). Most scholars divide the book in two main sections, Zechariah 1 -8 and Zechariah 9-14.6 This article will focus on the first eight chapters that are also referred to as Proto-Zechariah or First-Zechariah. Zechariah 1-8 may be divided into three literary units: 1:1-6 (Summons to repentance); 1:7-6:15 (Eight visions interspersed with oracles) 7:1-8:23 (Features of the time of salvation).

The text of Zechariah 1-8 places its historical setting between the second and the fourth year of Darius I, the Persian king (520-518 B.C.E.).7 Darius the Great ascended the Persian throne by means of a coup d'état after a period of upheaval following the death of Cyrus (530 B.C.E.) and Cambyses (522 B.C.E.). Darius's task in the beginning of his reign was to consolidate his position and establish peace in the Persian Empire.8

During the reign of Darius I (522-486 B.C.E.) the Persian Empire comprised territories from the Aral Sea and the western edge of the Himalayas to the Sahara, and from the Indus River Valley to the Danube.9 Darius organized his Persian empire in different protectorates or satrapies which included smaller provinces. Judah (Yehud in Aramaic) was part of the fifth satrapy called Abar Nahara. Yehud was ruled by a governor and consisted of a greatly reduced territory comprising Jerusalem and its environments.10 According to Kessler11 it was probably a sparsely populated province especially when compared to Judah before the Babylonian exile.

The specific circumstances of the Jerusalem community are difficult to tell. We can accept that the economic situation of the community was bleak and spiritually they experienced apathy and feelings of hopelessness. During this time YHWH12 called the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to initiate the physical rebuilding and the spiritual renewal of post-exilic Jerusalem.13

 

C KEY THEMES IN ZECHARIAH 1-8

It is difficult to identify the key themes. There are themes that appear in Zechariah 1-8, but which are more prominent in Zechariah 9-14 (e.g. The day of the Lord14; Messianism; Universal Kingship of YHWH; etc.). These themes cannot be described as "key themes" in Zechariah 1-8 and should rather be discussed in an article focusing on Zechariah 9-14. It is also difficult to make a sharp distinction among the different key themes and we must acknowledge that there are several similarities between the different themes.15 However, the following section is an attempt to discuss them separately.

1. YHWH's Divine Presence and the Rebuilding of the Temple in Zion

The theme of the temple and YHWH's presence plays a central role in Zechariah 1-8 although we find relatively few direct references to the temple (cf. Zech 1:16; 4:6-10; 6:9-15; 8:9). Zechariah stands in the midst of the Zion tradition. YHWH is in a special way present in his temple in Zion/Jerusalem and through this presence his Lordship is confirmed. The rebuilding of the temple was not viewed as a pre-condition for the time of salvation, but rather as a sign.

Zechariah's first vision begins with a declaration by YHWH that his house will be rebuilt (1:16) and that his mighty presence will be in Zion (2:9, 17 [2:5, 13]).16 In Zechariah 3:7 we hear that Joshua will be appointed as high priest and most important official in the temple before its completion.17

The priority of the temple in Zion underlies most of the chapters in Zechariah 1-8 but the fifth vision in chapter 4 deserves special attention. Several symbols, objects and metaphors mentioned in Zech 4 emphasise YHWH's divine presence. This vision paints a detailed picture of a golden lampstand with seven lamps and seven lips on it that represent YHWH's illuminating presence in the temple. The symbolism of the flames that burned perpetually with oil drawn from the two surrounding olive trees further emphasises YHWH's presence.18Zechariah 4:12 describes gold (NRSV oil) pouring out from the branches of the olive trees. If the flow of the golden oil is related to YHWH's presence through his "trees", then that flow symbolises the continuous presence of God.19

In Zechariah 6:12-15 the promises for the temple are confirmed and the completion of the temple becomes a sign of the authority of the prophet's message ("and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you").20The temple and the cult were viewed as one of the most important building blocks for the establishment of a new community, even more important than the monarchy and the Torah.

Haggai encouraged the people themselves to complete the building process. In comparison to that Zechariah emphasised the divine role in the building process. YHWH proclaims in Zech 1:16 "my house shall be built in it" but the text does not say who will do it. Zechariah 6:15 expects "those who are far off" to help with the project, but nowhere in Zechariah 1-8 do we read where they are called to help. The rebuilding of the temple is considered as a sign of YHWH's love that will return to Jerusalem. The completed temple and YHWH's presence signify that the time of judgment is over and that the time of salvation is at hand.21 Graigie22 summarises the importance of the temple and temple building as follows:

The temple was a symbol of God's presence among his people; the temple rebuilding, however, somehow symbolized, and perhaps even inaugurated in some mysterious fashion, God's renewal of his chosen people beyond that immediate time and place.

Lastly one must acknowledge that the divine presence of YHWH encompasses more than the physical building of the temple. The remnant that returned to their land, the resurgence of agricultural production, the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel, the words of the prophet and a spiritually restored Israel also point to the presence of YHWH in Zion.23

2. The Lordship and Sovereignty of YHWH

The prophet Zechariah consistently refers to the sovereign God as צְבָאוֹתיְהוָה. This epithet occurs 44 times in Zechariah 1-8 while all variant forms of the epithet occur 284 times in the OT. The meaning of צְבָאוֹת may refer to (a) earthly armies; (b) heavenly hosts; (c) all creatures and powers in heaven and in earth. 24It is difficult to translate the epithet and English Bibles translate the epithet in a variety of ways: Yahweh Sabaoth (JB); Lord of Hosts (KJV; NASV; NEB; NRSV; RSV); and Lord Almighty (NIV; TEV). I suggest the translation "YHWH of all powers" or "Lord of all powers." The word "powers" can be understood as an all-inclusive word referring to all powers and hosts in heaven and on earth.25

The use of צְבָאוֹת יְהוָה in Zechariah 1-8 describes the diverse character of YHWH: God as king of the nations (Zech 2:15 [2:11]; 8:20-23); Almighty and omnipresent God (Zech 89:6); God as Spirit (Zech 4:6); God who blesses (Zech 8:4, 12); God as judge (Zech 7:12-13); God's grace, love and forgiveness (Zech 1:16-17; 3:9-10; 8:7); et cetera. 26

Judah/Yehud was a very small province in contrast to the might of the Persian Empire. The prophet Zechariah reminds the people that צְבָאוֹת יְהוָה is the One who is really in control. YHWH is the true king of the earth, more powerful than the Persian king. YHWH will judge enemy nations (1:21; 2:9 [13]; 6:8), save his people and also those who seek him (2:11; 8:20). Zechariah 1-8 emphasises that YHWH's people have a significant role to play in the rebuilding phase of their history, but it is ultimately the work of their sovereign God (cf. 4:6)27

3. Sin and Punishment/Judgment

In the first few verses of the book (1:1-6) the prophet takes a historical retrospective view on sin and punishment. YHWH's people had disobeyed his commandments and YHWH was justified to allow them to reap the consequences of their disobedience. The prophet summons the people to return from their "evil ways" and "evil deeds' (1:4), but the nature of the sin is not discussed. The focus of the book until chapter 5 is largely on the promises of YHWH to his people. However, we have a few references to the sins of the nations (Babylon) in the first four chapters (1:15; 2:1-4 (1:18-21]; 2:12-13 [89]). Zechariah 5 mentions two key "sins" among YHWH's people that he wants to remove. Verses 1-4 point to the injustice of swearing falsely in court and verses 5-11 refers to idolatry. The first of these sins reappears in Zechariah 7-8 (7:9-10; 8:16-17) while the second sin is a key concern in Zechariah 9-14. These two sins undermine the foundation of the Torah to love YHWH with all one's heart, soul and might and to love one's neighbour as oneself.28 The prophet Zechariah warns the people not to repeat the sins of their forefathers, because such covenant violations led to the Babylonian exile (7:11-14).29

Zechariah 7:9-14 and 8:16-17 rounds off the theme of Zechariah 1:1-6, but Proto-Zechariah does not end with the theme of sin and punishment. Zechariah 8:18-23 closes with a promise of a new day beyond punishment.30

4. Turn to YHWH (repentance) and obedience

In the previous section (C.3) I mentioned the proclamation that the disobedience of the past was the reason for the people's suffering (Zech 1:4-6; 7:7-14). Therefore, it is important that the people will turn to YHWH and follow his stipulations. Zechariah 1:3 plays a prominent role to introduce this theme of repentance: "Therefore say to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts." Foster31 argues that this basic two-part relationship between YHWH and his people reveals the structure of the entire book, not merely Proto-Zechariah: 1:17 Return to me (Summons); 1:8-6:15 Because I am turning to you (Promise); 78 Return to me (Specific command); 9:1-11:3 Because I am turning to you (Modified Promise); 11:4-17 (Failure to keep the command); 12-14 (Because I am turning to you (Faithful promise). One can differ over the specific structure, but the fact is that this theme of "turn" (שׁוב) plays a significant role in Zechariah. The question may still be posed: What does it mean for the people to return to YHWH? Zechariah 1:4 emphasises another key word namely שׁמע (listen). Returning to YHWH means "listening" to YHWH in a way that differs significantly from the generations before. If there is a real active "listening" the deeds of obedience and justice will follow. Chapter 7:9-11 provides a summary of this true justice: show mercy and compassion to others, especially the widows, orphans, aliens and the poor.32

It is not merely the people who are summoned to repentance; even the high priest is called to repentance and cleansing (3:4-7). In the vision of the woman in the basket it is described how wickedness is removed from the land (5:5-11). Israel had to confess their sins before they could receive the salvation of YHWH. Days of fasting and lamenting are of no use, because it leads to self-glorification. According to Zechariah a whole-hearted conversion was important (Zech 8:16-17).33 The prophet summoned the people to repentance and conversion because his concern was for a right relationship with YHWH, a renewal of the covenant established between YHWH and Israel at Mount Sinai.34

5. YHWH's return, grace, love and forgiveness35

O'Brein36 wrote the following: "The primary message of First Zechariah is that of Yahweh's care for Jerusalem and Yahweh's intention to restore Jerusalem." YHWH is presented in Zech 1-8 as a God longing for a covenant relationship with his people. He promises that He will be a God of grace, love and forgiveness. Zechariah 1-8 does not merely speak about the repentance of the people but also emphasises the return of YHWH to dwell among his people (cf. 1:3, 16; 2:5, 10-22 [2:9, 14-15]; 4:9-10; 8:3). 37

YHWH was so angry with his people that He nearly destroyed them (1:2), but fortunately his love, grace and forgiveness surpassed his anger. There are at least three passages that refer directly to YHWH's forgiveness (Zech 1:16; 3:4, 9). In Zechariah 1:3 we hear the conditional words of YHWH: "Return to me .... and I will return to you." According to Zech 1:16 YHWH's return will be an unconditional return; a return because there is compassion (רַחֲמִים) in his heart. YHWH's compassion and forgiveness will not merely be empty words. He will return to his people and to the city of Jerusalem to build His house (or temple) as a symbol of his presence, grace and forgiveness. One can say that YHWH "demonstrates" his forgiveness by the rebuilding of the temple. The phrase "and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem" (1:16b) signifies that the city too will be rebuilt. Grace and forgiveness form the starting point of the new post-exilic community and can even lead to socio-economic stability and prosperity (cf. 1:17; 8:12).38

Zechariah 3:1-10 describes a remarkable vision in which Joshua the high priest was clothed in filthy garments to experience the cleansing and forgiveness that only YHWH could grant. Joshua's guilt was taken away and he was clothed in festal apparel (3:4). The implication of this vision goes beyond the holy requirements for leaders, extending the promised cleansing and forgiveness to all the people of the land (3:9).39 The intensity of the forgiveness rises in this vision: from the taking away (עבר) of Joshua's guilt (3:4) to the immediate removal (מושׁ) of the guilt of the whole land (3:9).40

There are a few passages in Zechariah 1-8 that directly refer to grace and forgiveness. However, the theme of grace and forgiveness appears in more passages. The underlying expectations of the last two chapters (Zech 7-8) presume that Israel stands at a pivotal point in its history. Things have really begun to change on a physical and spiritual level. The people will experience the grace, forgiveness and hope.41 Zechariah 8:12 says the following:

For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

In section C3 and above I discussed both the themes of punishment/judgment and grace/forgiveness. The question may be posed: Which theme is dominant in Zechariah 1-8? According to Wolters42 YHWH's grace is the dominant note in the book of Zechariah. It is not only manifested in the present but also promised for the future. Zechariah may also be described as a prophet of hope. His hope does not depend on the obedience of the people but the sheer grace of YHWH.43

6. Realized Eschatology and Future Hope

Zechariah 1-8 proclaims a realized eschatology. The future expectations are realized in the present, the future salvation becomes a reality in the present time through specific people and institutions. Zechariah emphasizes that unparalleled salvation will come with the rebuilding of the temple. Two leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, are described as instruments through which YHWH realizes the salvation. According to Haggai Zerubbabel will be the signet ring of YHWH who will rule over everyone (Hag 2:23). Zechariah 1-8 builds on this idea and emphasises that Joshua will be the co-leader.44 The immediate manifestation of YHWH's presence is realized through the rebuilt temple and leaders, but also through a spiritually restored Israel and the resurgence of the agricultural production (Zech 1:17; 4:8-9; 6:15).45

Zechariah continues to proclaim the hope of the earlier prophets for a future Davidic king who is central in YHWH's restoration process. In Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12 this figure is called na? (shoot or branch), picking up on the terminology of Jeremiah (Jer 23:5; 33:15) and the imagery of Isaiah and Ezekiel (Isa 11:1; Ezek 17). This king will serve as a priest (Zech 6:13) by cleansing sin and reversing its consequences (Zech 3:9). According to Petersen46 it is significant that neither of the passages identifies Zerubbabel as a shoot or a branch. Instead, a shoot is a Davidic king beyond Zerubbabel and beyond the time of Zechariah. Although the text does not directly relate צֶמַח with Zerubbabel, many scholars believe that the title refers to him.47 Redditt48 says the following "There can be no doubt that Zechariah saw Zerubbabel as the new David, the messiah in the typical Old Testament sense of the anointed king." This hypothesis may be correct, but unfortunately we do not have enough evidence to prove it. Although we are uncertain about the exact nature of the צֶמַח it still expresses the hope in a Davidic figure.

7. Israel and the Other Nations

The Hebrew term גּוֹיִם, (nations) occurs eight times in Proto-Zechariah: Zech 1:15; 2:4 (1:21), 2:12 (2:8), 2:15 (2:11), 7:14; 8:13, 22, 23.49 Most of these are references to God's judgment and anger against the nations. Four of the eight references describe a positive attitude towards the nations. Zechariah 8:13 indicates that the house of Israel and Judah was a curse to the nations but will become a blessing. Zechariah 2:15 (11), 8:22 and 23 describes how Israel and Judah will be a blessing.50 There is at least one other passage in Proto-Zechariah that does not use the term גּוֹיִם (nations) but also refers to the inclusion of the nations or gentiles among the people of God. Zechariah 6:15 mentions that "those who are far off" will come and help to build the temple of the Lord.51

According to Zech 2:15 (11) many nations shall come to YHWH and He will dwell in their midst. This passage does not address the nations in the first place, but focuses on the special role for YHWH's people in the future. Judah and Zion have a special place in YHWH's plan which has now become a plan for all nations.52

Zechariah 8:20-23 forms the last literary unit of Proto-Zechariah and depicts the ultimate response of the community to the summons of YHWH (1:3). Their obedience will introduce a new era in which Jerusalem will fulfil its original purpose as the place of divine presence on earth. God's rule will extend over the cosmos and all nations will worship Him. The Judeans or the people of Israel will play a special role in the witness to the nations.53

8. Leadership

Passages in Proto-Zechariah that focus on leadership form a central position in the structure of the book. Zechariah 3-4 emphasises YHWH's renewal of the priestly, political and prophetic leadership roles within the post-exilic community. Zechariah envisions a renewal of the priestly office represented by Joshua from the Zadokite priesthood.54

YHWH's actions in purifying Joshua and clothing him with clean and holy apparel accentuate the necessity of purity and holiness for the leaders of YHWH's people (Zech 3:4-5). Obedience to YHWH's law is a prerequisite for religious leaders:

Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access amongst those who are standing here (Zech 3:7).55

The prophet Zechariah affirms an enduring role for the prophetic voice, revealing that prophets will assist both priestly and political leadership figures by accessing divine revelation that will bring the presence of YHWH on earth. In Zechariah 1-8 there is shift in tone towards the leaders. Zechariah 3 begins in subtle ways to "criticise" the priests but in chapters 7-8 the prophet reproaches the priests for their lack of attention to social justice.56

Zechariah 1-8 supports a concept of diarchic leadership in post-exilic Jerusalem that consisted of the religious leader Joshua and the political leader Zerubbabel. Joshua's father Jehozadak was a high priest; therefore, Joshua was a Zadokite high priest and true descendant of Aaron. Zerubbabel the governor was officially appointed by the Persian Empire to be responsible for administrative matters in a specific geographic area. Zerubbabel's real significance is that he was regarded as a Davidic descendant because he was the grandson of the Davidic king Jehoiachin.

The biblical text does not mention that one of these leaders was more influential than the other. Zechariah 1-8 sketches a picture of a harmonious relationship and a balance of power, two leaders working together in the temple building process (cf. Zech 4:14; 6:9-15). One can assume that there was some degree of conflict between various groups in the post-exilic community.57However, the text of chapters 1-8 does not indicate major conflict between Joshua and Zerubbabel.58 It is difficult to determine the duration of the diarchic leadership model. There is a possibility that this leadership model lasted for some time after 538 B.C.E. until the completion of the temple in 515 B.C.E.

Proto-Zechariah also emphasises the close relationship between YHWH and the earthly leaders. In the fifth vision (Zech 4) the lampstand symbolizes the divine presence and the two trees symbolize Joshua and Zerubbabel (4:2-3). There is a relationship of interdependence between the trees and the lampstand. The post-exilic community could not exist without interaction between YHWH and human leaders. According to this vision these leaders are standing next to YHWH, not isolated from him (cf. 4:14 "These are the two sons of oil who stand by the Lord of the whole earth").59

 

D CONCLUDING REMARKS

Two questions may be posed at the end of the above discussion: (1) Are there any unique themes in Zechariah 1-8? (2) Can we say that the author/s had a central theme in mind? One cannot declare that there are any unique themes in Zechariah 1-8. There are similarities with many other books in die OT, especially the post-exilic prophetic books. The discussion of key themes in Zechariah 1-8 emphasises the fact that there is a definite relationship with Haggai, Zechariah 9-14 and Malachi.60 One can indicate that Zech 1-8 places more emphasis on certain themes or discuss them in a special way, but they are not unique in the strict sense of the word. I can mention two examples:

• Leadership is an important theme in both Proto- and Deutero-Zechariah. In Zechariah 1-8 one finds references to specific leaders like Joshua and Zerubbabel. Zechariah 9-14 has no reference to a specific leader but rather uses the shepherd image as a reference to leaders (cf. 11: 8, 15-17; 13:7-9).61

• The themes of YHWH's return, grace, love and forgiveness occur in the entire book of Zechariah. However, in Proto-Zechariah there is a unique emphasis on the forgiveness of the high priest Joshua as a representative of the community (Zech 3:1-10).

Can we say that the author/s had a central theme in mind? In a book like Haggai one can conclude that the central theme is the physical rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but Zechariah 1-8 encompasses more than that. Foster62argues that the book of Zechariah hinges on the words found in 6:15:

Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the LORD your God.

We can agree with Foster that the return of YHWH to Zion and the obedience of the people play a prominent role in Zechariah 1-8. However, the above discussion of the different themes in Zechariah 1-8 indicates that there is not one central theme. The real strength of Proto-Zechariah's message lies in the rich diversity of themes.

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    Anew Light Ministries

    CREATING environments through the vehicle of Visual and Expressive ARTS to help plug people into their CREATOR by fostering Spiritual Growth. By combining Therapeutic Art, Christ-Centered CBT techniques, and Integrated Arts in Scriptural Education, I seek to Heal human brokenness and Redeem Fullness through the Transformative Healing Power of The Holy Spirit. 

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    Tribulation
    Trinity
    True God
    True Israel
    True Son
    Trumpets
    Trust
    Turkey
    Twelve Stars Of Revelation
    Twelve Tribes
    Unbelief
    Unconditional Love
    Ungodliness
    Unity
    Universalism
    Unjustly Accused
    Unleash Creatures
    Unleavened Bread
    Values
    Victorious
    Victory
    Vine
    Virgin Mary
    Virtue Of TRUTH
    Vision
    Visions
    Visual Depiction
    Walking On Water
    Walks With God
    Warning
    Wedding Banquet
    Wellsprings Of Knowledge
    Wheat
    Why Is The Bible Not Just Another "Book?"
    Wilderness
    Wilderness Of Zin
    Will Of God
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Womb
    Wondaring
    Wonderful Counselor
    Word Made Flesh
    Word Of God
    Work Of Christ
    Worship Music
    Worthy
    Wounded
    Wrath
    Wrestles With God
    Written Law
    Yabbok
    Yahweh
    Yehud
    Yeshua
    Yom Kippur
    Yom Teruah
    Zacchaeus
    Zeal For God
    Zealots
    Zebedee
    Zebulun
    Zechariah
    Zephaniah
    Zerubbabel
    Zion

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