Matthew 13:13-43 -The Parables of Jesus

 

Matthew 13:13-43 – The Parables of Jesus

 

The kingdom Jesus has inaugurated will one day come to fullness and be recognized for its greatness. The Kingdom, like a tree, will be a place where people find rest and security.

 

Yeast or leaven describes the process of the kingdom’s growth. Yeast accomplishes its work overtime, eventually its presence affects everything around it.

When people listen or read stories of Jesus, they are privy to the most ancient and profound secrets ever told. (I Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:26).

 

Satan does not sow thorns or briars or brush, he sows darnel, which is impossible to distinguish from genuine wheat until harvest time.

 

After Jesus concluded His sermon, the disciples asked Him to explain the parable of the tares. Jesus teaches that one day He will sort the wheat from the tares and mete out either judgment or reward according to His omniscience. His judgment will be both complete and final.

 

The lawless are destined to experience the fires of hell, where they will live in eternal misery (Rev. 19:20; 20:10). The righteous will live in eternal radiance and joy. Their king will also be their Father. The righteous are those who come to Jesus in faith to be cleansed of their sin and guilt. Jesus will clothe them with His own righteousness.

 

When someone found a buried treasure and unearthed it, that treasure belonged to the owner of the property. But if the finder could buy the property, then everything in it would belong to the finder. What is considered a costly sacrifice today will one day be revealed as a pittance when compared to the riches of the kingdom of heaven. (Rom. 8:18). Whoever finds the pearl of great price, God’s Kingdom, will happily give up everything to possess it.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Matthew 13:1-13 - The Parable of the Sower

 

Matthew 13:1-13 – The Parable of the Sower

 

The parable has three main elements: the Sower, the seed, and the soils. The Sower represents the Lord, the seed is the Word of God, and the soils represent the hearers each with a different response to God’s Word.

 

God is sowing His Word in human hearts and looking for fruit. He is sowing His people in the world where they can produce a harvest. At the end of the age, He will separate the true from the false and the good from the bad

 

You are a seed containing His divine life, but a seed must be planted to produce fruit. Truth must not be hoarded; it must be shared so that others can be saved and built up in faith. Preaching the Word of God is like taking God’s seed- the Word of God and spreading it everywhere.

 

The wayward soil represents the callous heart. It cannot penetrate the soil and is hard as concrete.

 

The stony soil represents the casual heart. Some people appear to be converted and seem to experience explosive growth, but soon fall back into their old ways of living. Jesus is not speaking of losing one’s salvation, He says instead that such people never had salvation to begin with. Instead, they had only a shallow, emotional experience.

 

The thorny soil represents the crowded heart. The enemy here is not internal but external. The hearts are divided thereby crowded.

 

The good soil represents the converted heart, the person who hears the Word, allows its truth to sink in, and is genuinely saved.

Each parable of Jesus has a mystery for believers to know; but those who resist Him will not know. Jesus used parables because He did not want some in the Jewish crowd to understand His teaching. It veiled the truth from casual listeners and his opponents, but to the ones committed to following Him, the truth of these parables exploded in their minds.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.  J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Matthew 12 -Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

 

Matthew 12 – Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

 

The religious leaders were waiting for an opportunity to attack Jesus, and He deliberately gave it to them. What a tragedy to be burdened by legalism when you could enjoy the true Sabbath rest! When Jesus is your Lord, all of life becomes a Sabbath and every place is God’s temple, even a grain field.

 

The Pharisees were concerned about keeping the Sabbath but not about showing love to a man with a handicap condition. Jesus wants mercy, not sacrifice (Hos.6:6; Mic 6:6-8). The Pharisees knew these words but had completely missed their practical implications. We are not to use people but serve them. Jesus shows that the “burden” of the Sabbath is to do good by meeting people’s needs. For the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath was lawful only if a life was in danger. Jesus declares that it is always lawful, and in fact, it is an obligation to do good on the Sabbath. This conclusion should be applied to everyday living.

 

 

Jesus is the Stronger Man who has invaded satan’s house, overcome him, taken his weapons, and is now claiming his spoils (Eph. 1:15-23). Put on the armor and join Him in victory (Eph. 6:10ff). Jesus declared that it was absurd for the Pharisees to believe that satan would attack and defeat his own demonic forces. If that were to happen then satan would be destroying himself. Jesus had freed people from demons. Those in the crowd who attributed exorcism to the power of satan had corrupt hearts and could not speak good things or say anything ultimately truthful (James 3:2-12).

 

Beware of an empty life! It is a standing invitation for satan to go to work. In the spiritual war being waged today, you cannot be neutral. You are either for Him or against Him. If people clean up their lives and do not fill them with God, they are left vulnerable to even greater evil than what they were originally exposed to (I Pet. 5:8).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

Matthew 11 - John the Baptist Perplexed and Discouraged

 

Matthew 11 – John the Baptist Perplexed and Discouraged

 

John had served God faithfully and yet was in prison. His work was ended, and he was not sure that Jesus was ministering in the right way. When you find yourself in a similar situation, do what John did: tell it to Jesus and wait for His word (Isa. 35:4-6). Jesus answered John’s doubts with a report of His work. Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the lame, the lepers, and the deaf and He raised the dead. Each of these acts was proof that Jesus was the Messiah.

 

John’s disciples did not hear Jesus praise the leader. John was not a compromiser or a celebrity; he was God’s greatest prophet. John was in prison because of a cruel king and a crowd that was childish instead of childlike. John prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah, but those in the kingdom experience its reality.

 

Leave the judgment to the Lord and wait for Him to fulfill His perfect plan. You may think you have failed, but God will see to it that your work is blessed. In fact, John won people to Jesus long after he was dead and buried (John 10:40-42). Surrender to Christ’s loving yoke and you will experience the perfect rest.

 

One of the most gracious commands in the Bible is Jesus’ invitation to come speaks to all who are oppressed by routine, monotony, overwork, responsibility, and tension. Those who are heavy laden endure something that is laid on them from an outside source, causing burnout. Jesus’ form of rest is not absence of work but rejuvenation and refreshment.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

Matthew 10 - Spiritual Principles

 

Matthew 10 – Spiritual Principles

 

If the Lord calls you, He will equip you for the task He wants you to fulfill. It has been said, “The will of God does not send you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”

 

It is a wonderful privilege to be an ambassador for the King, but there is a price to pay. We are sheep among wolves, sword bearers, and cross bearers. The world hates us because it hates Him. (Phil. 3:10). To avoid being deceived by evil, we are to live in humility, gentleness, and integrity among those to whom we minister. (Luke 10:3; rom. 16:18, 2 Cor. 12:16). Christians today can also trust the Holy Spirit to give them the words to say when they must defend their faith or are persecuted for it.

 

Christ wants us to give freely to others. The apostles had power to do miracles, but even giving a cup of cold water is service to the Lord. Everything we have is a gift from God (John 3:27); and must be shared lovingly with others. We must live by faith and trust Him to provide.

 

If you fear God, you need fear nothing else (Psalm 112). You are precious to your Father; and He will care for you. God’s servants are immortal until their work is done. Christ ultimately came to earth to bring peace (Luke2:14), but when people choose to follow Jesus, they will often face division and conflict, even within their own households. To choose loyalty to family over loyalty to Christ disqualifies a person from being one of His disciples (Luke 14:25027).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

 

Matthew 8 & 9- Jesus' Miracles

 

Matthew 8 & 9 – Jesus’ Miracles

 

Matthew assembled several of our Lord’s miracles and recorded them as proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah (I Cor. 1:22). Some helpful lessons are evident in these miracles.

 

Jesus did not minister only to crowds; He had time for individuals. He had compassion for people shunned by others. Peter and John had this same spirit: they ministered to thousands (Acts 2) and took time for one beggar (Acts 3).

 

Nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jer. 32:17). He can heal the sick and afflicted, calm the storm, cast out demons, and even raise the dead.

 

The centurion had great faith while the disciples were guilty of little faith. The men who brought their friend exercised cooperative faith, while the sick woman had almost superstitious faith. Christ asks you the same question He asked the two blind men: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” 

 

The healing of the sick is a great miracle, and the raising of the dead an even greater one; but the salvation of the lost soul is the greatest miracle of all.  Jesus is the Great Physician who came to heal sinners, The Bridegroom who invites sinners to the wedding feast, and the Good Shepherd who has compassion on the struggling sheep.

 

Peter opened his home and Jesus healed many there, and Matthew used his home to introduce his friends to Jesus. The blind men who were healed spread the news about Jesus to the whole country. Jesus is seeking disciples and harvesters to help Him get the job done.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

 

Matthew7 - Judging Others

 

Matthew 7 - Judging Others

 

One of the easiest ways to cover our sins is to judge others. It is not wrong to exercise discernment, but we must start with ourselves. Often we are guilty of the sins we think we see in others (Rom. 2:1-3). We need prayer and love if we are to perform successful “eye surgery” on our brothers and sisters. We must treat them the way we want them to treat us. Christians should never judge by appearances or in a manner by which they themselves would not want to be judged.

Jesus commands His followers to Ask, Seek, and knock then you will receive, find, and have the door opened to you. God answers prayer (Mark 11:24); (Luke 18:1-8).

 

The gate into real life is narrow, and the way is difficult, so don’t try to carry a lot of excess baggage. False teachers make the way easy and popular; if you truly follow Jesus, you pay a price, and the way sometimes becomes lonely. The less chosen gate following Christ leads to life.

 

Life produces fruit, and good trees produce good fruit. There was a great deal of profession in the lives of the scribes and Pharisees, but not evidence of spiritual fruit. Believers glorify God and identify themselves with Him by producing spiritual fruit, which includes good works and steadfast character. Where there is no spiritual fruit, there is no spiritual faith.

 

To “build on the rock” means to obey the Word of God. Saying is not enough; there must be doing (James 1:22-25). If you claim to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, expect to have your profession tested in this life and the next. Fair-weather faith will not pass the test. Someday, every person will stand before God in judgment, and the reality of every person’s relationship with Jesus Christ will be revealed (Heb 4:13). Without a person relationship with Christ, religious words and ways, such as attending church, filling positions of church leadership, and performing good works, have no value.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Matthew 6 - Do Good to Please God

 

Matthew 6 – Do Good to Please God

 

We should give only to please God and receive His praise. If we give to win the praise of others, or to be able to complement ourselves, we get the immediate reward/praise, but we lose the eternal reward. We cannot get our reward twice, so we must decide which one we want. To give and do charitable deeds in secret reflects a person’s desire to please God more than people. God blesses those who honor Him.

 

Our public praying is only as good as our private praying, and our private praying should be secret, sincere, and systematic. The Lord’s Prayer is a pattern for us to follow so that we will put God’s concerns first and not forget to forgive others. Jesus condemns prayers that are self-serving. When we read from a written prayer we must make sure it springs from the heart.

 

We need things to live, and God provides those things for us; but acquiring things must not be the main goal of life. You are living for things when they capture your heart, divide your mind, and control your will; and the result is worry. The solution is to put God first and start living with eternity’s values in view.

 

Humans universally depend on God for His provision of food, health and even breath. Asking God for daily bread acknowledges one’s complete dependence on Him (Psalm 104:27-29).

 

People’s relationships with the Lord cannot be made right until their relationships with others are made right. Relational forgiveness should be sought again and again. (I John 1:5-10).

 

Worry means to divide, tear, rip apart; to pull in opposite directions. So, to be anxious is to be torn apart by circumstances. On the other hand, concern is a legitimate emotion, helping God’s people focus on real problems and providing enough spiritual energy to respond with godly solutions. (Ps. 55:22; Luke 12:22; Phil. 4:6).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Matthew 5 - We are the Salt of the Earth

 

Matthew 5 – We Are The Salt of the Earth

 

We enter the kingdom through the new birth (John 3:1-16), but we enjoy the kingdom by living for those things that please God the most. The worldly believers would disagree with Christ’s description of a blessed, happy person, but the description is true just the same. God majors on character and so should we.

 

Tasteless salt and hidden light are good for nothing! Salt arrests decay in our world, and light banishes darkness. Salt is hidden, but light is visible. Both are needed in the world, and both must give of themselves to serve.

 

If you bring anger to the altar, you cannot worship God, so get rid of the anger quickly. Angry feelings lead to angry words and deeds, and the result could be murder. (Eph. 4:25-32).

 

Obviously Jesus is not suggesting literal surgery, for the real problem is in the heart. This is a vivid reminder that sin is terrible, and we are better off “maimed” than whole and going to hell. 

 

We must measure ourselves not by others but by the father. This includes our words, our responses to injuries, and our dealings with our enemies.

 

Jesus opened the sermon on the mount with a description of a truly righteous person. Then He defined what sin is and what real righteousness is in the areas of worship and wealth. He concluded with warnings against making hypocritical judgments, following false prophets, and failing to obey God’s will.

 

The demands of the Sermon on the Mount are much more difficult than those found in the law of Moses. Only the true believer in Jesus Christ can put the Sermon on the Mount into practice. (Rom. 8:1-4).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

 

Matthew 4 - Satan Tempts Jesus

 

Matthew 4- Satan Tempts Jesus

 

Our Lord was not tempted so that God could examine Him, for the Father had already approved Him. He was tempted for our sake, that He might personally know temptation and be able to help us when we are tempted (Heb. 2:17-18). He overcame the devil by using the same weapons available to us today: The Word of God, the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1), and prayer (Luke 3:21; I Cor. 10:13).

 

Having defeated “the strong man,” Jesus now invaded his house and began to spoil his goods. He both obeyed the Word (Isa. 9:1-2) and preached it, calling men to become His disciples. Everyone must decide whether to follow Christ or make bargains with the devil.

 

Our Lord’s main ministry was teaching and preaching, but His compassion moved Him to minister to the physical needs of the people. How tragic that most of the people who followed Him wanted His services but not His Salvation, the gifts but not the Giver; and these people are with us today.

 

After His baptism, Jesus began to preach John’s message: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Even though His ministry began in Galilee, His work soon attracted attention among the Gentiles from Decapolis and beyond the Jordan (Mark 3:7-12). Although Jesus clearly is the Jewish Messiah, His kingdom already reaches beyond the Jews.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Matthew 3 - The Model Preacher

 

Matthew 3 – The Model Preacher

 

John the Baptist was a road builder who paved the way for the Lord (Isa. 40:3), and an axman who got to the root of sin and exposed it. He was not intimidated by people, nor was he afraid to preach about judgment. He was obedient to his Lord and magnified Him in all things (John3:30).

 

Some people heard God’s Word and confessed their sins, while others heard it and covered their sins (Prov. 28:13). The first group became children of God, but the second group were children of Satan. (John 8:44).

 

Jesus is the Son of God. The scriptures, John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit, and the Father attested to that truth.

 

John preached two truths, that people should repent; and the kingdom of heaven was about to arrive with the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, the true King of Israel. He was known as the “One crying in the wilderness” while the Lord is Jesus Christ.

 

John’s baptism was not only a baptism of repentance but also preparation for the Messiah, the One who would wash people of their sins through His shed blood.

 

Because the Pharisees and Sadducees detested each other’s teaching, they did not normally attend functions together. Instead, they sent investigators to observe John’s works and hear his teachings, John rebuked them for their pride and gross misuse of authority.

 

When Jesus said that His baptism would fulfill all righteousness, He declares that through His death, burial, and resurrection, He would fully satisfy all the requirements of a holy God, thereby enabling sinful man to be reconciled to God.

 

The baptism of Jesus involved all three members of the Trinity. God spoke the words: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. The voice from heaven was heard by witnesses, it was not imagined.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Matthew 2 - Response to Christ' Birth

 

Matthew 2 -Response to Christ’ Birth

 

Creation responded by putting a miraculous star in the heavens to tell the world a King had been born (Num.24:17).

 

The Gentiles worshipped Him and brought gifts. Matthew shows early in his book that Jesus came to save Gentiles as well as the Jews. The wise men studied the heavens, and the star led them to the scriptures, and the scriptures led them to the Savior.

 

Herod responded with fear and deception. He wanted no new King to threaten his reign. By the time of his death, he had murdered his wife and at least two of his sons to protect his throne. When Herod felt troubled the entire city was troubled.

 

The Chief priests and scribes gave the right information but the wrong response. They were only a short distance from the Messiah, yet they refused to go see Him!

 

In Micah 5:2, two names are given for the village where the Messiah would be born: Bethlehem which means the “house of bread,” and Ephrathah which means “to be fruitful.” Into a hungry and thirsty world came the Bread of Life, who teaches human beings to have a fruitful life. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).

 

For the second time, God spoke to Joseph in a dream. As instructed Joseph fled with his family to Egypt, outside of Herod’s control.

 

Rachel, who was buried in Bethlehem, is pictured as weeping from her grave as Herod’s edict to kill the male children was carried out. She also wept for her children when they were carried into captivity by the Babylonians. (Jer. 31:15).

 

Later, Joseph moved his family to the safety of the region of Galilee. Nazareth where Jesus would grow up, was a place “despised and rejected” (John 1:46).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

Matthew 1 - The Messiah Arrives!

 

Matthew 1– The Messiah Arrives!

 

Who could imagine that Matthew, a corrupt small-time tax collector for Rome, would one day write a document that would be read, studied, memorized, and treasured for centuries in every part of the world? It is no surprise that God’s Spirit would use this talent and training to produce a beautifully organized record of Jesus’ ministry, presented in a thoroughly Jewish way.

 

When Jesus looked at him and called his name, Matthew instantly turned his back on his old life and became a lifelong disciple of the young rabbi from Nazareth.  Matthew’s account demonstrates that the carpenter from Nazareth was the long-awaited Messiah- Christ, the Anointed One. He begins the book with a seventeen verse, forty-name genealogy, tracing Jesus’ earthly lineage back some two thousand years and 42 generations. Matthew’s record includes a variety of surprising inclusions:

 

Women. Tamar. Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Including women was unheard of at the time, but it demonstrates Jesus’ desire to break down the sex barrier.

Gentiles. Three of the women weren’t even Jews. Tamar, Rahab and Ruth were from Canaan and Moab- nations detested by Israel.

Sinners. Tamar tricked her father-in-law into having a relationship with her Rahab was a prostitute before joining the people of Israel. And Bathsheba committed adultery with David before he had her first husband killed.

 

What is the purpose of including such people in the Lord’s genealogy? “In Jesus Christ, prostitute and king, male and female, Jew and Gentile, one race and another race, moral and immoral, all sit down as equals. Equally sinful and lost, equally accepted and loved.” By Tim Keller. Even the begets of the Bible show that the grace of God is so pervasive that even the begats are dripping with God’s mercy.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

 

Malachi 4 - God's Healing Power

 

Malachi 4 – God’s Healing Power

 

Every person has needed healing at one time or another, whether it was a childhood scrape, or a deep emotional wound created by years of abuse. This imperfect world has caused many wounded hearts and soul- searching for healing. Some look for healing in a relationship, some in work, others in recreation. True healing, however, comes from God. One day, “the Son of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings,” to restore all things and to bring healing to wounded hearts. Whatever we face, healing can be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

“Son of righteousness” is a title for Jesus Christ (Ps. 84:11). He is to His people what the sun is to our galaxy: the center of all things and the source of life and light (John 1:4). The same Son that brings burning to the lost will bring blessing to the saved.

 

Malachi pointed back to the Law and commanded Israel to obey and be prepared for what God was going to do. Then he pointed ahead to the ministry of Elijah, which was fulfilled in a spiritual sense in John the Baptist. (Luke 1:16-17). It may be fulfilled literally if Elijah is one of the two witnesses described in Rev. 11:1-13.

 

The Old Testament ends with the awesome word curse. At the close of the New Testament, the promise is, “And there shall be no more curse” (Rev. 22:3). What made the difference? On the cross, Jesus Christ was made a curse for us (Gal. 3:1).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Malachi 3 - The Coming Messenger

 

Malachi 3 – The Coming Messenger

 

Sometimes the only way to get rid of impurity is to use a powerful soap or a refining fire. God would be to Israel “like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap,” ready to clean and purify His people. Such cleansing often comes through hardship and trials. God allows difficulties to come into our lives so that the heat of these hardships can burn off impurities. Red-hot fire, pelting sand, and strong soap are harsh, yet good, for they accomplish the desired cleaning. In the same way, life’s trials can wash away what is impure in our lives, making us purer for God. 

 

God’s ways are not our ways. People think that to be secure, they must hoard money. God says the opposite. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,” He says then “watch what happens.” God promised to reward His people’s giving with abundant blessings so much that “there will be room enough to receive it.” In the New Testament, Jesus issues the same challenge: “Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Luke 6:38. To refuse to give is to rob God; to give generously is to know God’s abundant blessing.

 

Not only did the people bring the Lord defective sacrifices, but they failed to bring tithes and offerings commanded by the law. Consequently, He cursed their blessings and destroyed their crops. When we rob God, we only rob ourselves. We cannot keep anything that rightfully belongs to God.

 

The messenger is John the Baptist (Matt. 11:7-10) who prepared the way for the Lord. When Christ comes as judge, He will purify Israel, especially the priests, and will judge the sinners.

 

God does not change.  He kept His covenant and did not destroy Israel. The faithfulness of God sustains us (Lam. 3:22-24).

 

Those who fear the Lord, obey Him and ponders His truth, and exercises spiritual discernment will be spared in the coming day of judgment.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

Malachi 2 - Corrupt Priests

 

Malachi 2 -Corrupt Priests

 

God through Malachi was reprimanding the priests for their ungodly sacrifices. They were offering animals that were sick and blemished. The priest’s despised God’s name and practiced blasphemy. God held the priests responsible for what they taught the people. Even today we are responsible for what we teach others.

 

In those days the Levi Priest’s were given the best of everything and were blessed more than the rest of the Israelites. Now He is telling them they will no longer be blessed but cursed. They will be made unclean so that they cannot even enter the temple. The priests did not honor God with their ways, so He no longer honored their positions.

 

When the Levi tribe was made priests they were selected because they honored God and followed His commandments but after being in captivity for 70 years, they no longer honored Him or followed His commandments. They were no longer good examples for the rest of the people. They were supposed to be the messengers of the Lord, but they were not. The Levites dealt treacherously with God and with each other.

 

When the Israelites came out of captivity they saw the foreign women and left their wives to marry them. Thus, idols came into their homes and they worshiped them. The Lord told them that whoever did this whether priest or person, they would be cut off from them. The wives they left came to the altar weeping and God heard their cries, so God no longer noticed the offerings of the priests but let them do as they please. Ho no longer accepted them as His messengers. The Hebrew wives were the wives they made a covenant to God with and that is the only marriage God would accept.

 

We are God’s children, poor or needy, we will be accepted by Him and will enter His kingdom. God sees our obedience to Him and will reward us in the end.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

Malachi 1 - Loving Jacob, Hating Esau

 

Malachi 1 – Loving Jacob, Hating Esau

 

God said that he loved Jacob because of the fact that He knew what was in Jacob’s heart. He hated Esau because he did not have a heart for God. He had no desire for Him at all. The difference here between loving and hating is simply that the life of the nation that came from Esau, which is Edom, and the life of the nation which came from Jacob which is Israel, demonstrate that God was right when He said that He loved one and hated the other.

 

If God loves the good, He has to hate the evil. The histories of the nation of Israel and the nation of Edom are altogether different. God says that because of Esau’s life, because of the evil which was inherent in this man and which worked itself into the nation of Edom, He was justified in making this statement.

 

In the days of Malachi the Israelites were wallowing in doubt and disillusionment. The priests were corrupt, and religious observances were a sham. As a result, the people were guilty of hypocrisy, idolatry, infidelity, divorce, materialism, and gross indifference to the things of God. Then comes the prophet Malachi.

 

He asked his countrymen a series of convincing questions designed to bring about repentance. But his pointed questions had no effect. So God eventually stopped speaking, and after Malachi, the nation received no further revelation from God until John the Baptist arrived on the scene some 400 years later.

 

Malachi reminds us that spiritual heart disease is slow but deadly. People who stop seeking God become discouraged and apathetic. Turning inward, they become self-absorbed and oblivious to God’s voice. Though they may appear healthy on the outside because of their contnuiing religious activities, on the inside their hearts are becoming increasingly cold and hard. In time, the ugly symptoms of soul neglect will become obvious. Don’t be counted among those who succumb to spiritual heart disease. Like the Israelites, we often relegate the heavenly king to the margins of our lives; giving Him less than our best. Our Savior deserves the best of our time, talent and treasure.

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Zechariah 13 & 14 - Idolatry Cut Off

 

Zechariah 13 – Idolatry Cut Off

 

God’s grace will be poured out on his people, and they will mourn for the death of Jesus and for their sins. In this time near the end of the tribulation period. All the demons and idols will be cast out. The Anti-Christ will end up in the Lake of Fire and Satan will be sent to the bottomless pit. Then when the Lord comes, the prophets will be ashamed of their prophecies because when the Lord comes it will be that His coming made liars out of them. The prophets will go back to being farmers. When the Lord appears, they will ask Him about the wounds on his hands. These wounds represent the wounds that were inflicted upon Him on the cross.  He received these wounds from the people He considered friends even though they acted like enemies and crucified Him. (Matt.26:31). 1/3 of the nation will survive and 2/3 will be cut off.

 

Zechariah 14 – The Day of the Lord

 

An army that has a representative of every nation will come against Jerusalem and overtake them. Many horrible things will happen that day, but some will escape. Then the Lord will come and fight against all the nations for Israel. He will stand upon the Mount of Olives and there will be a great earthquake that will split the mountain in two. Many people will run from it. This day will begin in darkness but by evening there will be light. At this time Jesus will establish His kingdom and there will only be one language. All of Jerusalem will be safe and there will be no more destruction. Peace will finally come to Jerusalem. For all those nations that fight against Jerusalem there will come a plague and the people will die a living death. It will fall upon all the people and the animals. A remnant of the Gentiles from all the nations shall be preserved and brought from the ends of the earth. There they will celebrate the Feast of the Tabernacles. Those who don’t come will suffer from the plague and will receive no rain. Zechariah ended this book with a vision on the “day of the Lord”. On that day, the phrase “Holiness to the Lord” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of Hosts. To be holy means to be set apart for sacred use. In this New Jerusalem, even mundane utensils will be considered holy intended for God’s work. Our lives should be dedicated to God that even the mundane task that we undertake are sacred, holy, and done for the Glory of God.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

Zechariah 12 - The Coming Deliverance of Judah

 

Zechariah 12 – The Coming Deliverance of Judah

 

The burden on the Lord that is spoken of in verse one is the judgment against all the world who rejects Him as the creator of all things, even of mankind whom He breathed life into.

 

In the days of tribulation Jerusalem will become the center of attack and judgment. When the enemy comes against Jerusalem, then God will smite the enemy with confusion. God says He will protect the House of David first. You might ask why David when we know of his affair with Bathsheba. But we must remember that David repented of that sin and God still held him close to His heart.

 

When we get to heaven I am sure we will be shocked to see some people there that we would have never believed to be worthy of heaven and we will wonder where others are that we thought should have been there. That’s why we should never judge another person because only God knows their heart.

 

Now, David was a great soldier and God says that even the weakest man will be like David and David will be like God. In fact, it was through the lineage of David, through Mary that our Lord and Savior was born. Later in the chapter God says He will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem and then He will pour out a spirit of grace on all His people, the Israelites and they will mourn for Jesus’ crucifixion and for all their sin. This will be the day of Atonement when God will forgive them for all their sins.

 

We as believers should mourn over all our sins and be truly repentant and receive Christ into our heart as the one who died for us.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Zechariah 10 &11 - Restoration of Judah and Israel

 

Zechariah 10 – Restoration of Judah and Israel

 

Cornerstone…tent peg…battle bow…ruler are terms that emphasize the strong, stable, victorious, and trustworthy nature of God’s rule, as opposed to the wicked ways of the previous shepherds of Israel (Jer. 50:6). The Lord would reassemble and restore His people by divinely empowering both the kingdoms of Judah and Joseph (Israel) to conquer like mighty men.

 

Nothing, not even opposing powers like Assyria and Egypt could prevent God’s purposes for His people, who would return to their own land.

 

Zechariah 11- Desolation of Israel

 

After his tender promises to the flock, Zechariah returns his focus to the shepherds he had addressed. He spoke of how the leaders will lose their glory when God delivers His people. Zechariah portrays a shepherd whom the sheep reject, signifying how Israel will one day treat Jesus. He plays another role, that of a foolish shepherd who does not care for the flock. This speaks of the anti-Christ who will come and not care for the people, but the people will receive him. He will promise peace to all nations, and he will become a world leader.

 

Thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, the price Judas took to turn Jesus over to the people.

 

Right now, the world is not blessed with great leaders and is ripe for someone to come along and offer us peace. Many will be gullible enough to believe him and won’t even think to ask their self if he is of God or Satan. We must always stand ready and trust in God alone. God alone can bring peace to the world. No human being can do this no matter how they try to convince us.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Zechariah 9 - Israel Defended Against Enemies

 

Zechariah 9 – Israel Defended Against Enemies

 

Zechariah speaks prophecies against specific nations, and in due time, these prophecies were fulfilled. But He also foretells the Messiah’s arrival and the salvation of His people. Those prophecies were fulfilled in Christ but will culminate in His second coming.

 

God would center His judgment on one of Israel’s longstanding enemies to the northeast, with its capital (Damascus) as the bull’s eye. Judgment would also fall on the Phoenicians to the north and the Philistines to the west. During his short reign, Alexander the Great conquered all the territories mentioned here.

 

Zechariah compares powerful human rule with the peaceful first coming of the Messiah and the eternal rule of the Prince of Peace upon His second coming. Kings were often arbitrary and unfair in their actions, but the Messiah’s reign would be just because He would do God’s will and have God’s law within His heart. In His kingdom, the injustices of this world would be eliminated, and equity would prevail (Isa. 11:1-10).

 

Donkeys were royal mounts in the ancient Near East, but the fact that the messianic King is pictured riding one of these into Jerusalem, rather than a war horse or chariot, signals that His ultimate purpose was to inaugurate a worldwide kingdom of peace (Matt. 21:5).

 

Prisoners in ancient times were often kept in dry wells like Joseph was (Gen. 37:24,28). The exiles of Israel pictured in a cistern of captivity, suffering, and despair would be freed because of God’s unbreakable covenant with them. Christ offers that freedom to all who believe in Him (Gal. 5:1).

 

Devour and subdue with slingstones could mean God’s people would easily subdue their enemies, as David did Goliath (I Sam. 17).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. The Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Zechariah 8 - The New Jerusalem

 

Zechariah 8 – The New Jerusalem

 

If we judge our self we will not be judged. If we confess our sins we will be forgiven. When Christ comes He will dwell in the New Jerusalem, and it shall be the capital of the earth. It shall be called the City of Truth. We do not live in the City of Truth today. There are too many cults and false religions. This kingdom will be established, and no one can change God’s plan. It will be a place for the elderly to live. There will be no more rest homes and retirement centers. They will be safe and welcome there. Boys and girls will be playing safely in the streets. There will be no cars or pollution. The elderly and the young will live together in peace. If you think you have it good here, just think of what it will be like in New Jerusalem. This is nothing compared to there.

 

All God’s people from the East to the West will travel there. This is not only the obedient Jews, but the obedient Gentiles also. We will live in truth and righteousness. God is not recognized in Jerusalem today, but in the New Jerusalem all will be made right. We will share in the prosperity of the fruit and vegetation of the land. If we want to enter the New Jerusalem, God tells us to speak the truth to our neighbors, not to believe in false promises and to not think evil in your heart against your neighbor. Those things God hates, so we must be honest and truthful and live peaceably with each other. There will be no fasting, but only days of feasting. The events of the past will be forgotten in the glory of the worship of the Lord. Jesus came to bring us joy, not sorrow (Matt. 9:14-17).

 

 

 Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Zechariah 7 - God's Compassion

 

Zechariah 7– God’s Compassion

 

Although the Israelites had rebelled against God and had been exiled to Babylon, God had brought a small group of them back to Jerusalem. The exiles knew what it was like to experience God’s compassion. Now, through Zechariah, God asked them to “show mercy and compassion” to each other. What did that mean? To look after widows, orphans, the poor and those who were strangers in the land.

 

All who have experienced God’s mercy, the forgiveness Christ freely offers need to show that same type of compassion to others. Zechariah’s prophecy is like Haggai’s prophecy. These people mentioned here in this chapter is from Ephraim and they came from Bethel to the House of God. They came asking if the ritual of fasting and weeping was right or wrong. They had fasted and wept for many years, but God did not bless them because of their disobedience. God gave the Israelites a religion which was very ritualistic, but they became bored of it and so did God.

 

God asked the Israelites if they fasted for Him or for themselves. God never gave them days of fasting and weeping but he did give them days of feasting. He asked them where their heart was when they did fast. He told them that when their heart is right the ritual would be right. When it was wrong the ritual would be wrong. God’s purpose is never changed by a ritual. God never approves or condemns the ritual but asks to know where your heart is.

 

Whatever we do we must do it to the glory of God. Our repetitious prayers can become a ritual and if our focus is not from the heart in communicating with God it will not only become boring for us, but for God also. He doesn’t want to hear the same words repeatedly. He wants to know what your heart is saying. The same can be said in going to church, in taking communion, and in singing worship songs. It must be from the heart if you want God’s attention.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Zechariah 5 & 6 - Vision of the Flying Scroll

 

Zechariah 5 – Vision of the Flying Scroll

 

The scroll was fifteen feet by thirty feet, so it could easily be seen and read. God condemned the thieves and the liars. (Satan is both; John 8:44). These sins are violations of the third and the eighth commandments and are still condemned by God (Eph. 4:25-28).

 

In the end times, there will be a concentration of evil at Babylon, that last expression of the evil world system (Rev. 17-18). The word wickedness is feminine in Hebrew, which explains why a woman was used as the illustration.

 

Zechariah 6 – Wickedness Controlled

 

This is a reminder that God’s angelic servants patrol the earth. The Jews frequently were invaded from the north, but God was keeping those nations at rest so the remnant could build the temple.

 

Three Jews from Babylon came to Jerusalem with gold and silver for the temple. But God told Zechariah to make a crown and put it on Joshua and make him a king-priest! No Jewish priest had ever reigned as king, and no king was permitted to serve as a priest (2 Chron. 26:16-21). All of this was symbolic of the coming Messiah. (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:1-3) who would reign from the future glorious temple. Just as the three men brought gifts from afar, so the Gentiles would bring gifts to help build the future temple (Isa. 60:4-7).

 

As Haggai encouraged the people in their daily work, Zechariah urged them to live “in the future tense” and work because they were a part of God’s glorious future. A “blessed hope” is a great motivation for service and faithfulness (Titus 2:11-15).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.