May 7 - Hosea & Joel

June 25 - Job

The book of Job speaks powerfully to the mind, heart and soul and expresses the heart of God in the midst of life's hardest and most difficult of trials.. Job ⁃ It contains historical material, poetry, proverbs, songs, prophetic words. ⁃ It is hard to date this book as ⁃ We don't know when or where Job lived ⁃ It is unknown as to when the book was written ⁃ Not sure who the author is: Job, Moses, Solomon, other…? ⁃ It is part of the Bible's "Wisdom Literature" ⁃ Unique characteristics: ⁃ "Shaddai" the name used for God (31x) means "The Almighty" and is one of the oldest words used for God. Pastor shares a fascinating story of what a Chinese missionary discovered. ⁃ "Yahweh" / "Yehovah" also appears in the book.. "The One Who Is" ⁃ Setting is in the land of Uz. Not sure where this is - maybe Arabia, Syria, Edom or?? ⁃ We do know that Job was extremely wealthy and faithful to God. ⁃ Archaic vocabulary - many words are hard to translate. It has animals that are unknown to us today. ⁃ The book is all about Spiritual Warfare - war in the heavenlies that we are unable to see that often results in things that cannot be explained by normal human means. ⁃ The book is also about Suffering. At the heart of the suffering is the message that personal sin is not always the cause of personal suffering. ⁃ Several friends are "miserable comfort" ⁃ Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar ⁃ Bring accusations and words of despair to Job instead of comfort (16:2) ⁃ Eliphaz is the leader and chief spokesman for the group (5:27) ⁃ Eliphaz is visited by a spirit (4:12-16) who gives him what he ends up saying to Job. Eliphaz tells that he received a word that was secretly brought to him, that a spirit glided past his face and it spoke to him the things to say to Job. Here we see the spiritual warfare. The devil is a liar, and a thief. ⁃ Job has an encouraging friend ⁃ Elihu is one of Job's friends that was not rebuked by God.(42:7) Elihu speaks truth. The Outline of the Book of Job ⁃ Prologue and setting of the story. A tragic opening. Job loses family, flocks and wealth - yet he remains faithful to God. (1-2) ⁃ Dialogue - for a week his friends say nothing but sit with Job. After a week they begin to talk and these chapters are Job's conversations with these three friends. Job continues strong in his faith. (3-27) ⁃ Interlude on Wisdom (28) ⁃ Job's Closing Arguments about wanting to talk to God and make his case before God to figure out why this is happening to him. (29-31) ⁃ Elihu's Speeches to the other three and to Job. (32-37) ⁃ The LORD Speaks - powerful words from God - who speaks to Job and to the other four. (38-42:6) ⁃ Epilogue - the end of the story and how things turned out for Job. God turns things around because God wins the spiritual battle. (42:7-17) Pastor goes through a list of the greatest verses in the Book of Job: 1:21 - the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. May the name of the Lord be praised! 14:1-2 - reminds us that we are in a world that has fallen and that people die 16:19 - Job says that his witness is in heaven, his Advocate is on High. (Even when he couldn't depend on his friends, he knew He could count on God.) 19:20,23-27 - chapters where Job says he's lost everything, is barely hanging on, BUT he goes on in the deepest moments of pain and suffering to say that he knows that his Redeemer lives and that he will see God. 28:28 - Job tells us that God has taught us that the fear of the Lord is "wisdom" and to shun evil is "understanding." 33:14-18 - words from Elihu: God does speak in many ways, for the purpose of turning us from wrong doing and to save us. 40:15ff Behemoth is an animal made by God at the time when He created man, eats grass, and is described with amazing strength. The greatest of the land creatures that God made. Massive legs and a tail like a cedar tree. There is nothing today that measures up to this animal. It is not a hippo or elephant. Behemoth is massive and gigantic. A huge dinosaur. There is literary and archeological evidence of this animal. 41:1ff Leviathan is an animal that snorts out fire. This is not a crocodile, it is describing a massive sea creature. A fire breathing dragon. And again there is literary and archeological evidence. The fossil record is a distant reminder that shows what is real and genuine. Until more recent history beliefs were all in agreement that the world was created, that it was destroyed by a flood, that will be a final judgement. Job shows us that we need to come back to biblical truth! Join us next week for our study of the Song of Songs and Lamentations. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year [https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year] Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com [https://www.awakeusnow.com/]

June 18 - Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs is the truth of the Living God applied to daily life. It contains some of the most beautiful Hebrew poetry in existence, and conveys in poetic form powerful, fundamental truths that are absolutely life-changing. Proverbs: ⁃ Solomon . Primary author (1 Proverbs 1:1 and 1 Kings 4:29-34) ⁃ Academic controversy over authorship - but internal evidence along with linguistic and historical evidence makes it very likely that Solomon is the author and that is what it says in Proverbs 1:1. ⁃ Proverbs is part of the Wisdom Literature: Practical, applied knowledge that impacts every area of one's life. Job, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes are also in this category. Biblical Wisdom is more than information, it is transformation, it is the truth of the living God applied to daily life. This is what is found in Proverbs. It is filled with life-changing, fundamental truths. ⁃ Distinction between: "Proverbs" and "Torah" Torah is the 5 Books of Moses and means "instruction". Torah is direct and clear. Proverbs are general. They give an overall view of what is godly, good, practical and pure. Proverbs are general statements of how the way things normally are and general principles. General truths not absolute promises. Basic truths in memorable form. Proverbs: ⁃ Has three characters ⁃ Wise - embraces the things of God ⁃ Fool - opposes the things of God ⁃ Simple - on the fence, uncommitted Proverbs Outline: ⁃ Theme (1:1-7) The "FEAR" of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fear in Biblical Hebrew is better translated to "be in awe of." So the verse = The AWE of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. ⁃ Wisdom Poems (1:8-9:18) these are life-changing poems that give direction. ⁃ Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16) ⁃ 30 Sayings of "the Wise" (22:17-24:22) ⁃ Further Sayings of "the Wise" (24:23-34) ⁃ Hezekiah's Collection (a collection of Solomon's proverbs collected by Hezekiah (25:1-29:27) ⁃ Sayings of Agur - it has been suggested that Agur is Solomon based on what the rabbi's had to say. (30:1-33) ⁃ Sayings of King Lemuel - Solomon had around 7 names - it's a possibility that this is also Solomon (31:1-9) ⁃ Acrostic of the Nobel Wife (31:10-31) each saying begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The book of Proverbs is filled with powerful Wisdom that teaches us how to live as believers. It's a book about trusting God explicitly. It's a book that shows us that God is god. He will show us the way to go because He desires to lead and guide us. This book also encourages us to learn from God's discipline and allow Him to shape and mould us. God uses trials to refine and teach us so that we will rely on Him. In the Proverbs we are encouraged to protect and guard our hearts and to not allow the world and others to corrupt or influence us. When we are in awe of the Lord it is a place of refuge. Pastor talked about the best way to read the Proverbs is slowly with just a few passages at a time and to savor the verses and think on them and allow what they say to wash over us. Join us next week for our continued study of the Job. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year [https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year] Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com [https://www.awakeusnow.com/]

June 11 - Psalms (Part 3)

This study is part 3 of our study of the Book of Psalms. Psalms Messianic Psalms - 2, 22, 110, 118 Penitential Psalms - 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 Imprecatory Psalm - 137 Egyptian Hallel - 113-118 Acrostic Psalm - 119 Song of Ascents - 120-134 In this our final study of the Book of Psalms, Pastor kicks off the class with a look at Psalm 34. Saul is after David, so David leaves and goes to Philistine (enemy territory) and he acts like he has lost his mind so that he will preserve his life from the king of Philistine. It is at this point that David writes this Psalm. As David so often does, he starts this Psalm with praises to the Lord. He remembers all the Lord has done for him and how He has gotten him through trial and there's that realization of knowing that God is trustworthy. Pastor shares a very difficult time in his life when God ministered to him in amazing and powerful ways and how God showed His nearness. God doesn't promise a life without troubles, but He does promise to be with us throughout those troubles. At the very time when we feel we are on our own and everything is lost, God says, "No, at those times I am even closer to you, because I am near to the brokenhearted." We can depend on God! Then Pastor takes us to the Imprecatory Psalm 137. A psalm asking for judgement over evil. It was written after the Israelites had been taken into captivity in Babylon. Pastor talks about how judgement always starts with the household of God, with those who know God. God is just and Judgement does come to the unbelieving enemies, too. This is a raw psalm that expresses the anguish of the heart. Judgement does come against Babylon and God's people are freed from Babylon. The Egyptian Hallel Psalms (113-118) are a group of songs that are sung one after another. These psalms are a medley of Psalms that Jesus would have known and sung these throughout His life and most likely sang them with His disciples the evening of His Last Supper. It's a fun exercise to read through these Psalms with the picture in our minds of Jesus singing these songs with His disciples just days before His crucifixion and Him knowing all that is coming His way. Pastor takes us through Psalm 119 an Acrostic Psalm. We can't see that in English, but in the original Hebrew there are 22 sections of 8 verses each in this psalm. Each set of 8 begins with the same letter. Each set takes the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Then we move into the Psalms of Ascent (120-134). These are the songs they sang on the journey to the Temple for the festivals. The final Psalm we look at is Psalm 23 and Pastor teaches us about sheep and shares some very interesting insights and facts about them that really bring the picture of us as "sheep" and Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" into a new light. Join us next week for our continued study of the Proverbs. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year [https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year] Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com [https://www.awakeusnow.com/]

June 4 - Psalms (Part 2)

This study is part 2 of our study of the Book of Psalms. Psalms ⁃ The oldest psalm is psalm 90 - written by Moses. ⁃ While they are "old" they speak to us today ⁃ They convey incredible depth of feeling and heart-felt emotion. God tells us to rejoice in Him, to celebrate, to praise His name, but also invites us to weep before Him and to cry out to Him in distress. ⁃ The Psalms speak incredible truth. Tehilim: The Book of Psalms Divided / Organized into the following: Book 1: Psalms 1-41 Book 2: Psalms 42-72 Book 3: Psalms 73-89 Book 4: Psalms 90-106 Book 5: Psalms 107-150 Psalmists - # of Psalms • Moses - 1 Psalm 90 • David - 73+ esp Books 1 and 2 • Asaph - 12 Psalms 50, 73-83 • Solomon - 2 Psalms 72 and 127 • Sons of Korah - 11 Psalms 42,44-49, 84,87-88 (Pastor shares the story of Korah and about the descendants of Korah) • Heman - 1* Psalm 88 (also sons of Korah) • Ethan - 1 Psalm 89 Psalms ⁃ Messianic Psalms (2, 22, 110, 118) Psalms that talk about Jesus the Anointed One ⁃ Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) ⁃ Imprecatory Psalm (137) The Psalms open with: Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night." Pastor shares that the word for law in the original text is "torah" and that torah is far more than our English understand of the word law. Law is probably better rendered as "instruction." And that it's important to understand and to see the law as God's instruction. (His demands show our sin but He also shows us His will and shows us His mercy and His grace.) The first 5 books - the Torah - are filled with more than law they are filled with the grace and mercy of God. When we read these first 2 opening verses of Psalm 1 with a broader understanding of the word "law" AKA "torah" we see it this way: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the "torah" (instructions) of the Lord, and who meditates on his "torah" (instructions) day and night." Pastor encourages us to read the Psalms and to allow them to really percolate in us, to really soak in them and soak in what we are reading, to allow God's Word to really wash over us. Pastor encourages us to read the psalms slowly and meditate on God's Word. God still speaks today and the psalms are powerful words. We are to let God's word take root in our lives, to let it into our hearts and minds and lives. The Psalms end with Psalm 150 - a psalm of praise to God for everything. Psalm 1 and 150 truly book end the Psalms with encouragement to be open to His instruction and then to praise Him. The Psalms start with a call to be meditating on God's instructions and end with a call to praise God in every circumstance. The psalms were hymns that were memorized and sung by heart. What must it have been like to be at the foot of the cross and hear Jesus say these memorized words from Psalm 22 "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" They would have immediately remembered the rest of the Psalm "they mock me… the dogs encompass me… evildoers encircle me… they have pierced my hands and feet….they divide my garments… and for my clothing they cast lots…" It would have immediately made them realize they were looking at the One to whom this Psalm was written about. Did it cause doubters to understand who Jesus truly was as their minds went to these verses. Pastor talks about a how brutal a Roman execution was. Such horrendous suffering and excruciating pain our Lord Jesus endured. Pastor walks us through the list of Messianic Psalms and we clearly see Jesus in them. He ends class with an exploration of the penitential psalms - especially spending time on Psalm 51 in which David pours out his heart, admitting sin and guilt and asking for God to cleanse him and purify him. Join us next week for our continued study of the Psalms. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year [https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year] Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com [https://www.awakeusnow.com/]

May 28 - Zechariah, Malachi & Psalms (Part 1)

This study is part 4 of our study of the twelve Minor Prophets. Minor not because they are of minor importance, but rather minor because they are shorter than other books of prophecy like Isaiah and Jeremiah. We will also take our first look at the Psalms. Zechariah ⁃ We see that when God pushes in - there's pushback from the enemy, but there is also another reaction and that is when the enemy pushes back, God pushes back even harder. It doesn't mean everything will go well, it does mean that the Lord gets the final victory. ⁃ The Lord calls Zechariah in late 520 BC. He is given prophetic word for the people in his day but also clear dramatic predictive prophecies that point to the coming of Jesus 500 years later. ⁃ Zechariah is a contemporary of Haggai ⁃ He's called as a Prophet and Priest ⁃ Shares Messianic and Apocalyptic message ⁃ Speaks remarkable prophecies of Jesus' first coming ⁃ The book ends by pointing to a glorious future - giving hope - because in the end God wins! A word to Zerubbabel is that we are to do things in God's power and God's way. Not by our own strength and power but in the Spirit's strength and power alone. Pastor helps us see the book of Zechariah as God's preview to what is to come: The Branch, the King, and what He will be like. Pastor also spends considerable time exploring the prophetic words about Jesus in Zechariah and showing how Jesus fits the prophetic word that's spoken there. Zechariah gives us insight into God the Father's plan - a plan of Grace. Malachi ⁃ The last of the written prophets ⁃ Active during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah ⁃ Prophesied ca 470 or 430 BC ⁃ His name means "My messenger" ⁃ Malachi's message is a call to us to honor God and not to give God our leftovers! God wants our firstfruits and He wants us to worship Him with our whole hearts. God deserves our all. ⁃ Malachi also shares the One who is promised, the One who is prophesied, is coming soon. ⁃ Malachi opens with a plea from God to us to receive His love and that His name will be great not only among the Jewish people but also among the Gentiles - All nations! ⁃ Malachi also prophecies that one like Elijah would come before the Promised One comes. This "Elijah" is John the Baptist. The Promised One is Jesus - the Promised Savior. ⁃ Note: Malachi is the ending of the books of the Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. (Nevi'im) Pastor ties what Malachi says to Jesus' Transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36. And ties several other pieces of prophecy together. Psalms Pastor introduces the Psalms and will continue for several more weeks exploring the Psalms ⁃ Pronunciation: sahm ⁃ Antiquity of Tehilim - the Book of Psalms ⁃ Superscriptions (cf. 2 Samuel 22:1; Isaiah 38:8 and Habbakuk 3:1) These superscriptions give us insight to the psalm and to who wrote a particular psalm. ⁃ Ancient technical terms, eg "selah" are found throughout the Psalms. Selah appears 71 times in psalms, but we do not know what it means. The guess is that it is suggesting a time of reflection and quiet. ⁃ The psalms are filled with raw emotion. ⁃ They can be broken down into 2 Categories ⁃ Petitions (pleas/complaints) ⁃ Praises (hymns/thanksgiving) Join us next week our continued study of the Psalms. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year [https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year] Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com [https://www.awakeusnow.com/]