Wednesday nights are a little eclectic here at Living Grace. We often embark on topic oriented mini-series or even Q&A based open discussion over things taught throughout the present year. In any case, Wednesday nights tend to have a more communal and relaxed family feel which we really enjoy.
Thru the Bible: The Intertestamental Period
This week we covered the same basic time period as we did last week only this time we looked at Israel’s spiritual environment rather than their politcal environment.
This included the adotion of Aramaic language by the common man, the 2nd Temple on Mt. Gerizim, introduction of Snyagogue and finally the religious sects of the Sadducees and the Pharisees.
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Thru the Bible: The Intertestamental Period
Tonight we embark on a brief overview of “the years of silence” between Malachi to Messiah. The world we see in the time of Malachi is vastly different than what we find in Matthew.
This is the time period which Amos foretold of a “famine for hearing the word of the Lord”.
Tonight we are introducing the natural and governmental world of the Jews in this time period.
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Thru the Bible: Malachi 3:13-4:6
Malachi wraps up with a rebuke from God over Israel’s unfaithfulness and selfish disrespect. He also convey’s God’s promise to remember and make a distinction between the unfaithful and the reverent.
Then God begins “troublesome times” maked by a famine for hearing the word of the Lord. The long 400 years of silence predicted by Daniel & Amos. The silence to Israel as a nation would not be broken until three angel sighting occurred, The first to Zacharias, father of John the Baptist. The second to Mary Jesus’ earthly mother. The third to Shepherds in a field outside Jerusalem at the birth of Messiah Jesus!
God Bless!
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Thru the Bible: Malachi 2:17-3:12
This week God uses Malachi to offer Israel a sign of Messiah’s coming by describing His forerunner which Isaiah also did.
Matthew, Mark and Luke all identify John the Baptist as the fulfillment of those prophecies.
Also, God addresses Israel’s third and final major sin – that of failing to support and give into the lives of thier spiritual leaders and the curse that brings.
Paul, draws a direct line between this and giving to ministirial support in 1 Corinthains 9 by saying, “(13) Do you not know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?
(14) IN THE SAME WAY, the Lord has COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.” – 1Corinthians 9:12-14.
Spirit please give us all ears to hear and eyes to see.
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Thru the Bible: Malachi 1-2
This is the last book of the Old Testament. It is a prophetic word to post-Babylonian exile Judah.
In this prophecy God addresses the exact same three major sins He did through Nehemiah, not so many years prior.
This was Israel’s last warning… a shot across the bow before their sins reward them a spiritual desert to live and die in.
Amos spoke of this intertestamental time of silence as “a famine for hearing the word of the Lord”.
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