DEVOTIONAL ANSWERS
Devotional 1: Creation Era
Devotional 2: Patriarch Era
Devotional 3: Exodus Era
Devotional 4: Conquest Era
Devotional 5: Judges Era
Devotional 6: Kings Era
Devotional 7: Exile Era
Devotional 8: Return Era
Devotional 9: Silence Era
Devotional 10: Gospel Era
Devotional 1: Creation Era
1a. During the first event "Creation" God creates man. On what day did God create man? Day 6, see Genesis 1:26-31
1b. What is the man's name? Adam, see Genesis, see 2:20.
1c. What book of the Bible is this recorded in? The creation of the Heavens and Earth is recorded in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapters 1 and 2.
2a. During the second event known as the "Fall," what enters the world? Sin (anything that is wrong in God's eyes). See Genesis 1:29-30 and you find that God had made every plant and tree for food for Adam. In Genesis 2:9, you will see that all the trees and plants that were good to eat were in the Garden of Eden (the place God had put Adam on earth) along with the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." In Genesis 2:16-17, we see God tell Adam he can eat from any tree except one, the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." In Genesis 3, you see Adam and his wife Eve, eat from the Tree God had told Adam not to eat from and in comes the first sin into the world.
2b. What does God promise? God promised that satan and woman's child will be at war from then on, and that at some point Satan would strike out at her child, but her child would crush his head. This is the first indirect reference to Christ. God mentions that it would be the woman's descendant, not the man's, this goes along with the Biblical account in the books of Matthew and Luke that tell us that Joseph was not the father of Jesus. Mary was the mother, but God sent His Holy Spirit to overshadow the virgin Mary to concieve the child that was both God and Man.
2c. What book of the Bible and chapter is this recorded in? The Second Event of the Creation Era, known as the "Fall" takes place in Genesis, Chapter 3.
3a. During this event, judgement for sin is sent by God and only Noah and his family survive. What did Noah build? Noah built an ark to hold some of every kind of animal see Genesis 6:14.
3b. What is this event? This third event in the Creation Era is known as the "Flood" see Genesis, chapters 6 and 7.
3c. What Book and chapters is this recorded in? The Flood is recorded in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapters 6 -10 for a complete look at the story.
4a. God has told the people to spread out, but instead they built this to stay together. What is it? The Tower of Babel. In Genesis 9:1, after the flood, God makes a promise to Noah and his family and all the children they would have. God promises never to flood the world again. But God also tells Noah and his kids something He wants them to do. God wants them to have lots of children and fill up the world with people all over it. He had said the same thing to Adam in the beginning. However, in Genesis 11:1-9, we see the people determined not to spread out and fill up the world. No they want to stay all together and they are starting to forget all about God. As they are focusing more and more on themselves and what they can do, they start on a great big tower to reach up high into the sky. God knowing that they were forgetting about him more and more and doing things their own way, decided to confuse their language. They all spoke the same language until God confused it. Then God caused some people to speak one language and some to speak another. Quickly the people began to move away from one another and lived only with those that spoke the same language they did. God wanted men to live all over the world, and finally they did.
4b. What book and chapter is this recorded in? For the final event of the Creation Era, the "Tower," see Genesis 11. The rest of the book of Genesis deals with the next Era, the Patriarchs.
Bonus: Who wrote Genesis? Genesis was recored by Moses at a later time in what is known as the Exodus Era. Moses was given the first five books of the Bible by God during this same period of time. We know from archeology today, that the first known alphebets occured just prior to Moses lifetime. We also know that the first alphabets were being used in the part of the world where Moses was living when he wrote these books. Prior to this time, only picture writings were used, such as the Egyptian Hieroglyphics. We also know that the earliest writing materials used were mostly carvings on stone. Moses brought down the initial writings from God (the ones known as the Ten Commandments) on stone tablets. Isn't it great to know that as soon as man begins to make a written record that can be passed from generation to generation, God makes sure His story is recorded for all the ages. Thank God we can read it today.
Devotional 2: Patriarch Era
1a. God hand picks a man to build a new nation from; what is that man’s name? With the fall of man and sin in the world God begins to work on His redemptive plan for mankind. He chooses Abram (whom God will change his name to Abraham) from Ur, located between the Tigris and Euphrates River (in modern day Iraq) to be the father of the Hebrew People.
1b. What three things did God promise this man? God promises Abraham three things. First, land, Abraham is promised the Land of Canaan. This is why it is known as the Promised Land. Second, countless descendants, Abraham was 75 years old when God called him from Ur and Abraham had no children, his wife was old too and beyond the child bearing years. Third, Abraham is promised the world will be blessed through him. Remember the woman’s seed that Satan was told in the garden would crush his head, Abraham is told this seed from his descendants will be the blessing for the entire world, not just Abraham’s descendants.
1c. The man has two sons; what are their names? When Sarah, Abraham’s wife doesn’t become pregnant right away, she makes a foolish mistake and gives her servant girl to her husband to have a child with. This child’s name is Ishmael. But he is not the promised child. Sarah later becomes pregnant and has a son, they name him Isaac. Sarah is 90 and Abraham is 100, 25 years after God’s called Abraham and revealed his plan and promises to him.
1d. What book of the Bible and chapters is this recorded in? The story of Abraham the Father of the Hebrew People is in the Book of Genesis in Chapters 12-23.
2a. This next major man is Sarah’s son, Isaac. What does God promise him? Even before Isaac was born, God made it clear who he would pass His promises down to, it would not be the son that was born out of man’s natural way of figuring things out apart from Him. No this son would be called Isaac, and God would open Sarah’s barren womb and cause her to conceive a son. This son of Promise would receive the same promises made to Abraham. See God confirm this in Genesis 17:19-22.
2b. Does he have any sons? Yes, Isaac has two sons, but not right away. As a matter of fact his wife Rebekah had trouble conceiving too. Isaac and Rebekah had been married 20 years and during that time Isaac had pleaded with God to open Rebekah womb. Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to twins Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first and should have been the one to receive the birth rights; however, it was Jacob who goes on to receive God’s promises to Abraham his grandfather.
2c. What Book of the Bible and chapters is this recorded in? The story of Isaac the second father of the promise can be found in Genesis, Chapters 24-26.
3a. This next major man is Sarah’s grandson. Although she has two grandsons, only one receives the promise God made first to her husband, Abraham. What is this grandson’s name? Jacob is the grandson who receives the promises made to Abraham, although Jacob certainly has a bad start in life when you look at his actions.
3b. What does God change his name to? As God begins to do a work in Jacob’s life, God changes Jacob’s name to Israel. With the birth of his many sons, he will become known as the father of the nation of Israel.
3c. What book of the Bible and chapters is this recorded in? The story of Jacob, the Father of the Nation of Israel can be found in Genesis, Chapters 27-35.
4a. Abraham and Sarah’s grandson has several children. How many great-grandsons were there? Jacob has 12 sons, these 12 sons become known as the patriarch leaders of the corresponding 12 tribes of the future nation of Israel.
4b. One is sold into slavery, what is his name? Joseph, the son of Israel’s (aka Jacob) favorite wife Rachel, is sold into slavery by his 11 jealous brothers. They are jealous of the favoritism shown to him by their dad Israel.
4c. Why do all the sons and their families go to Egypt? Famine hits the Promised Land where the 11 brothers and their families are living with Israel (aka Jacob). The famine soon hits that entire region of the world, driving the 11 sons to head to Egypt to get food for their family. Little did they realize their brother Joseph whom they sold into slavery is now running the country for the Pharaoh. Joseph forgives his brothers for what they did to him and offers to put them up during these bad times. The brothers bring their entire family to Egypt to live and everything is great throughout Joseph’s lifetime for the Hebrew Family.
4d. What book and chapters is this recorded in? You can find the story of Joseph and his 11 brothers in the book of Genesis, chapters 37-50. The book of Genesis, closes with the death of Israel (aka Jacob) in Egypt, he blesses his children. There are a couple of things noteworthy in these blessings. First he says the scepter will not depart from Judah’s hand. As you will see later on, Judah is the tribe that the seed of Abraham (or promised Messiah that would be a blessing to the whole world) would come from. Second, Joseph’s two sons are each given a blessing by Israel (Jacob). This in effect is a double portion to Joseph and you will see later on that instead of Joseph being listed as one of the 12 tribes of Israel, Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim each are counted as an individual tribe. Now if you are doing your math, you are probably thinking “Well doesn’t that make 13 tribes instead of 12?” The answer is yes, and don’t fret you will see how this all works out in the next era.
Bonus: Have you ever wondered how Abraham became known as a Hebrew. While living in the Promised Land Sarah died at the ripe old age of 127 (Genesis 23:1). Abraham purchases land in Hebron there in the Promised Land of Canaan to bury his wife (Genesis 23:19). Later, Abraham is buried there also (Genesis 25:7-10). Notice that Israel (Jacob) goes on and asks his 12 sons to take him back to the Promised Land to be buried, even though they are all living in Egypt at the moment (Genesis 49: 29-32). The word Hebron is believed to be where we get the expression, Abraham the Hebrew, because he lived so many years there in Hebron, as did his family.
Devotional 3: Exodus Era
1a. During the first event of Exodus, God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. How long have Abraham descendants been in slavery? After Joseph dies, the leadership rises to power in Egypt that enslave the Israelite people. They had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years when God delivers them.
1b. What is the man’s name god sends to lead the people out of Egypt? God calls Moses to go back to Egypt where he had grown up as the adopted son of the Pharoah’s daughter and lead the Israelite people out of slavery in Egypt to the land he had originally promised
1c. What book of the Bible and chapters is this recorded in? The Exodus of the Slaves from Egypt is covered in “guess what” the book of Exodus, Chapters 1-18.
2a. During the second event known as the “Law”, whose commands are these and where are the Israelites when they receive them? Having delivered the people from Egypt and across the Red Sea the Lord has the people travel south to Mount Sinai (the same area where he called out and spoke to Moses through the burning bush and asked him to go back to Egypt to lead the people out of slavery). Once there he calls Moses up onto the mountain top where God gives him the Law, inscribing the ten commandments on stone using his own finger. Moses was on the mountain top with the Lord for 40 days, and received the full revelation of God at this time.
2b. What does God promise for obedience and promise for disobedience? The Israelite people are asked by God to enter into a conditional covenant (think of it as a contract). God promises to bless the Israelites for obedience to His Laws and also promises cursing for failure of Israel to obey the Law. God specifically spells out both the blessings and the curses at this time.
2c. What Book of the Bible and chapter is this recorded in? The book of Exodus starting with chapters 19-40 reveal the peoples travels to Mt. Sinai and the laws that the Lord gave to the people along with all the conditions of the Covenant the people agreed to enter into with the Lord.
3a. This event is known as the place of rebellion against God, where is it? Israel having left Mount Sinai, go north to Kadesh Barnea. There at Kadesh Barnea they await their entrance into the Land God has promised. It is here that Moses selects 12 men, one from each tribe to so spy out the Promised Land and report back to the people.
3b. What do they not believe? When the 12 spies come back to make their report, all 12 say the land is great and flowing with Milk and honey and they even have great big bunches of fruit to prove it. However, 10 of the spies say the people are tow big and too powerful and there is no way they are going to be able to take the land from them. The People believe the 10 men instead of God.
3c. Does anyone believe God? Joshua and Caleb are 2 of the 12 spies that went into the land. (Joshua is one of Moses young assistants) These 2 men are the only ones who believe that what God has said he will be faithful to complete it. They know God has delivered them this far, he will not abandon them now. They try to encourage the people to have faith and follow the Lord into the Promised land. But the people unwilling to believe, want to stone Joshua and Caleb. The Lord protects them,
3d. What book of the Bible and chapters is this recorded in? In the book of Numbers, you get the story of the Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea, located in Chapters 10-14. The story takes place after the Lord has had Moses do a count of all the 12 tribes of Israel. This numbering along with their tribal assignments are found in the opening chapters 1-9.
4a. After the people rebel, God makes the people do what “next” event in this Era? Because of the people’s rebellion against God and their disbelief inspite of all the miracles up to this point, God tells them “not one of the people over the age of 21 will be allowed to enter the Promised Land.” He then instructs the people that they will “Wander for 40 Years” in the wilderness, until all from that generation have died and then he will let the next generation enter into the Promised Land
4b. Is there anyone over 21 who will get to go to the promised land and why? Joshua and Caleb are the only ones over 21 years of age that God allows to enter the Promised Land (but that is in the next era). They are allowed to enter because of their great faith. They unlike the others fiercely believed God.
4c. What book and chapter is this recorded in? In the book of Numbers, you get the story of the “40 Years of Wandering” in the Wilderness, chapters 20-26, hence the title “Numbers” references back to all the numbers that take place in this book, starting with the numbers in each Tribe and closing with the number of years the Israelites wandered.
Bonus: During this time, Moses writes the 5 books the Hebrew people refer to as the Torah, also referred to in the Bible as “The Law.” Thse five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Dueteronmy. It was at this time in History that alphabets were being used, in lieu of story pictures, like those we think of as Hirogyphics. The use of alphabets made it possible to record stories in a much more accurate way than ever before. It is at this perfect time in History we see God, give Moses the task of recording His (God’s) own story of mankind. It is amazing to see how God had prepared Moses by placing him in Pharoah’s own household to ensure Moses would have received the most advance eduaction of his day and been exposed to the use of alphabets that were now being used in that day. As to the books Moses writes. Although Moses never says, “Hey this is Moses writing.” We see several places throughout some of these books were Moses says he was instructed by God to write theses things down. We have only to look at the New Testament, to see Jesus credit Moses with having penned “The Law.” So what are these books Moses wrote. Genesis, as previously shown contains the Creation Era, and the Patriarch Era. Both of these Eras contain God promises for mankind, God redemption plan for man, and specific promises to Abraham’s descendants. Exodus records God rescuing Abraham’s descendants and the giving of the Law. Leviticus records the special instructions regarding proper worship. The worship that the “Levite” priests (one of the 12 tribes name was Levi….they were set apart for this work) were given the responsibility to administer to the people, hence the name of the book “Leviticus.” Numbers as we have discussed was the counting of the people in the 12 tribes along with the rebellion and wandering in the Wilderness for 40 Years. These events all relate to the word “Numbers.” Lastly, Moses writes the book of Deuteronomy. When Moses writes this it is at the end of the 40 years of wandering. Everyone has died from the previous generation. Moses is about to hand over the leadership to his trusted (Not so young “anymore” assistant…Joshua). Moses rewrites much of the Covenant again to the people. He reminds them of the need to follow the Lord. God has made an agreement, we entered into it. God will do His part, we must be faithful to do ours. Moses will not get to go into the Promised Land. He wants them to have God’s Promises, all of them. He warns them. This is know as Deuteronomy because it is the “Second” Telling of God’s Laws (Duo…meaning two).
Devotional 4: Conquest Era
1a. After Moses death, God hand picks Joshua to lead the Hebrew people.
1b. The first task Joshua has to do is to lead the people across the swollen Jordan River at the worst possible time of year. The River is at Flood stage. Just like God parted the Red Sea for Moses, God parts the Jordan River for Joshua allowing the Hebrew people to cross into the Promised Land.
1c. Find out all the details of this miraculous crossing in the 6th book of the Bible, Joshua chapters 1-5
2a. Once in the Land , they have to “Conquer” it. God wanting them to know who is with them and who will do the work, gives Joshua strict instructions regarding the capture of their first town, Jericho.
2b. The Lord orders the people to march around the city of Jericho once a day for 7 days. On the seventh day, the people are to march around the city 7 times and the people are to shout. God promises the city walls will fall and the city walls did fall, giving us the Miraculous Capture of the city of Jericho.
2c. God does the work to win the battle, even though the people of Israel had to obey the Lord to see it happen.
2d. Read out the Miraculous Capture of the first city in the Promise Land, Jericho, in the book of Joshua, chapter 6.
3a. Once inside the Promise land, there is a lot of land to conquer. Joshua leads the people on the Conquest of the Land. Joshua proceeds to lead the people city by city in the taking of the land.
3b. As the Hebrew people begin their march, the Lord has Joshua divide the land in two. First Joshua marches straight across the center of the promise land, towards the Mediterean Sea. Each city is it’s own little kingdom, so by dividing the land across the middle the kings in the north could not join forces with the kings in the south, making it easier for Joshua and the Israelite people to have success as they then traveled south before traveling north as they Conquered the land and defeated the people living in Canaan. (The name of the Promised Land up to this point in time.)
3c.You can read about Joshua’s victories in Joshua Chapters 7-12.
4a. Now having gained victory over many of the towns in Canaan, Joshua divides the Land and the towns into 12 areas. Each tribe gets there own land and their own cities, enough for all their people.
4b. The Lord has Joshua cast lots to determine which parcel of land goes to which tribe.
4c. Read more about this in Joshua, chapters 13-20 Bonus Joshua leads Israel in what is considered the most victorious time in Israel’s History. Military schools today still study Joshua’s battle plans. God had delivered on His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan and Israel had believed God and it showed in their actions.
Devotional 5: Judges Era
1a. God gave the Israelites judges to lead people during this time. These judges were not like the judges we think of today, who were long robes and sit on a court. These judges were raised up by God to recue the people from their attackers. These judges were always involved in warfare.
1b. Early during the Judges Era, a woman named Deborah was a famous woman judge who helped defeat the Canaanites. The Bible says Deborah was also a prophet.
1c. The strongest judge was a man named Samson. Samson became famous for his defeat of the Philistines.
1d. You can read about all the judges in the book of Judges. The story of Deborah is recorded in chapters 4 and 5, the story of Samson is recorded in chapters 13-16.
2a. God had told the Israelites to: 1) destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan, 2) avoid intermarriage with the Canaanites, and 3) shun worship of the Canaanite gods. In the book of Judges we see Israel doing the exact opposite of the three things the Lord had said to do.
2b. The Bible describes their actions as doing “evil in the Lord’s sight, they forgot about the Lord their God and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles.” In othere words as soon as Joshua generation had died, the next generation to grow up did not know the Lord, nor care about the Lord, the Bible says “Each man did what was right in his own eyes.”
3a. Much of the book of Judges tells the story of Israel’s cycles of sin. On seven different occasions 1) Israel sins, 2) God allows them to be captured because they have turned away from Him, 3) Israel repents, crying out to God for deliverance from their invaders, 4) God raises up a judge who delivers them from their captures, and 5) followed by a time of piece as long as the judge is alive. The sin, capture, repent, deliver, and peace are all components of one cycle in the book of Judges.
3b. As we mentioned earlier this cycle is repeated seven times.
4a. Ruth is the other book of the Bible that is written during this time. Chapter one , verse one, opens with, “In the days when the judges ruled in Israel…”
4b. This is an entire book about a Gentile woman. The Bible says Ruth was a Moabite, this is one of the nations the Israelites were suppose to get out of the Land. Unlike the Israelite people all around her, Ruth had a deep and genuine faith. This is seen throughout the book by her actions. This book paints a beautiful picture of how God is our Kinsmen Redeemer when we are diligent to run to him and find rest in his shadow.
Bonus: There are many great faith stories in the book of Judges, from the first judge, who you will recall is Caleb’s son-in-law, to Gideon. The book closes with the most horrific account of a brutal rape and murder of a priest’s concubine. The whole story is sordid and it certainly makes the point of just how immoral and corrupt the people had become. It doesn’t take long when we turn from the Lord to go down the slippery slope. Just pages before we were in the glorious conquest of the promised land. Now we are in the sordid details of defeat. Not once, not twice, but seven times. Oh, how God’s heart must be broken as “every man did what was right in his own eyes.” Joshua 21:25
Devotional 6: Kings Era
1a. The people of Israel want what they see other nations beginning to have at this time, what is it? 1 Samuel 8:4-9 4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” 6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. 9 Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”
1b. Who is the first King and what kind of a King was he? 1 Samuel 9:15-20 15 Now the Lord had told Samuel the previous day, 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.” 18 Just then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” 19 “I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” 1 Samuel 10:20-25 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the Lord, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot. 21 Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the Lord, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! 22 So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” 23 So they found him and brought him out, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else. 24 Then Samuel said to all the people, “This is the man the Lord has chosen as your king. No one in all Israel is like him!” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
1c. Who does God pick for King next and why? 1 Samuel 16:1, Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” 1 Samuel 16:13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. 1 Samuel 15:10-13, 16-24, 10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” 13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!”… 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” Saul Pleads for Forgiveness 24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.
1d. What books of the Bible are these men stories recorded in? The beginning of the Kings Era is recorded in the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Samuel was the last prophet of the Judges Era, and was attributed as the author of much of the books we know as 1 and 2 Samuel. Hebrew tradition states that upon his death one of the other priest finished recording the events in David’s life as written in the final chapters of 2 Samuel. (Ezra also writes an historical account of David’s past reign in 1 Chronicles during the return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. This is Ezra way of reminding Israel’s people of their rich history long ago.) During this time you also have 4 of the poetic books written, the majority of the Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes.
2a. After King David dies, his son Solomon becomes King. What happens upon his son’s death, sending us into the next main period of the Kings Era? 1 Kings 11:42-43 Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. 43 When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king. 1 Kings 12:1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. 1 Kings 12:4 “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.” 1 Kings 12:13-15 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!” 15 So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of the Lord, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh. (I Kings 11:9-13…9 The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. 11 So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. 12 But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. 13 And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.” 1 Kings 11:29-36… 29 One day as Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh met him along the way. Ahijah was wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone in a field, 30 and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31 Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten of these pieces, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten of the tribes to you! 32 But I will leave him one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. 33 For Solomon has? abandoned me and worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of the Ammonites. He has not followed my ways and done what is pleasing in my sight. He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David his father did. 34 “ ‘But I will not take the entire kingdom from Solomon at this time. For the sake of my servant David, the one whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees, I will keep Solomon as leader for the rest of his life. 35 But I will take the kingdom away from his son and give ten of the tribes to you. 36 His son will have one tribe so that the descendants of David my servant will continue to reign, shining like a lamp in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen to be the place for my name.) 1 Kings 12: 15-20 15 So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of the Lord, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh. 16 When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!” So the people of Israel returned home. 17 But Rehoboam continued to rule over the Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah. 18 King Rehoboam sent Adoniram,? who was in charge of the labor force, to restore order, but the people of Israel stoned him to death. When this news reached King Rehoboam, he quickly jumped into his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. 19 And to this day the northern tribes of Israel have refused to be ruled by a descendant of David. 20 When the people of Israel learned of Jeroboam’s return from Egypt, they called an assembly and made him king over all Israel. So only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the family of David.
2b. What Books of the Bible is this recorded in? The Book of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles records Solomon’s reign and the division that takes place after his death.
3a. The civil war leads to a divided kingdom. Which Kingdom is considered unrighteous? The Northern Kingdom does not have one righteous king from this point on. This is recorded in 1 and 2 Kings and again in 2 Chronicles.
3b. Who is their first King? Beginning with Jeroboam, they set up altars, worshiped false Gods, and completely ignored the teachings of the Lord. They have no heart for God and they lead the people of the north into idolatry.
3c. How many tribes are a part of this kingdom? 10 tribes are joined together to form the Northern Tribe. They take the name Israel.
3d. What happens to them? Because of their immediate and rebellious actions, the northern Kingdom, Israel, is the first portion of the Kingdom to go into Exile. They are taken over by the Assyrians to the north, after ignoring the repeated warnings of the Lord as recorded in twelve of the Prophetic Books of the Bible.
4a. Whose family lineage stays in power in the other Kingdom? King David’s family lineage continues to reign in the Southern Kingdom. We see this in 1 and 2 Kings and in 1 and 2 Chronicles.
4b. What is the name of the other Kingdom? The southern kingdom, takes the name of the tribe that King David is from, the tribe of Judah. Only one other tribe stays with Judah, that tribe is Benjamin also located in the southern half of the land of Israel.
4c. Who is their first king? The first king of the now divided kingdom to the south is Rehoboam, Solomon’s son.
4d. What happens to them? 136 years after the northern kingdom goes into captivity in Assyria, the southern kingdom falls to Babylon. Both kingdoms fall as a result of their sin. During this period of time of the divided kingdom, God continues to warn both the north and the south. The southern kingdom has both good and bad kings, kings that love the Lord, and kings that do evil in the sight of the Lord. But the end result is a people that have followed the leadership and have fallen away from the very God that brought their ancestors out from slavery in Egypt. God had more prophetic words spoken and books written during this divided period than at any other era during the Old Testament. Like any good parent, God did not want Israel to suffer the consequences of her choices, but He knew she was headed for destruction on her current path. In the end, God gave Israel over to her sin and allowed the nation and their land to be swallowed up in the annuls of history. Israel would never be a nation again until 1947.
Devotional 7: Exile Era
1a. With the country of Israel divided in two, which kingdom has already gone into captivity at the end of the last era and by whom? The northern kingdom known by the name Israel, goes into captivity in 722 B.C. by Assyria. 2 Kings 17 “In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him. 3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser’s vassal and had paid him tribute. 4 But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was a traitor, for he had sent envoys to So?? king of Egypt, and he no longer paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison. 5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched against Samaria and laid siege to it for three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes. 7 All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that provoked the Lord to anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.”? 13 The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” 14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the Lord their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do,” and they did the things the Lord had forbidden them to do. 16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. 17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger. 18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. 20 Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence. 21 When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 22 The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them 23 until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there. 24 The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns.” NLT
1b. Who captures the other kingdom and who is the last prophet warning the nation? The southern kingdom of Judah goes into exile in 586 B.C. at the hands of the Babylonians. The final captivity comes after three separate sieges on Jerusalem. Jeremiah was the last prophet of the kingdom era prior to their capture. In the book of Jeremiah, he warns of impending captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah 13:15-19 15Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken. 16Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to thick darkness and change it to deep gloom. 17But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive. 18Say to the king and to the queen mother, “Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads.” 19The cities in the Negev will be shut up, and there will be no one to open them. All Judah will be carried into exile, carried completely away. NLT 2 Kings 24:12-25: “10 At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it, 11 and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the city while his officers were besieging it. 12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him. In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. 13 As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and took away all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. 14 He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the officers and fighting men, and all the craftsmen and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left. 15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the leading men of the land. 16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand craftsmen and artisans. 17 He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. 18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 19 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. 20 It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence. Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 25 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. He encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. 2 The city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 3 By the ninth day of the fourth? ? month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat. 4 Then the city wall was broken through, and the whole army fled at night through the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, though the Babylonians ? were surrounding the city. They fled toward the Arabah, ? 5 but the Babylonian? army pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his soldiers were separated from him and scattered, 6 and he was captured. He was taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where sentence was pronounced on him. 7 They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 8 On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 9 He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. 10 The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 11 Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon. 12 But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields. 13 The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the movable stands and the bronze Sea that were at the temple of the Lord and they carried the bronze to Babylon. 14 They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. 15 The commander of the imperial guard took away the censers and sprinkling bowls—all that were made of pure gold or silver. 16 The bronze from the two pillars, the Sea and the movable stands, which Solomon had made for the temple of the Lord, was more than could be weighed. 17 Each pillar was twenty-seven feet? high. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was four and a half feet high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its network, was similar. 18 The commander of the guard took as prisoners Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank and the three doorkeepers. 19 Of those still in the city, he took the officer in charge of the fighting men and five royal advisers. He also took the secretary who was chief officer in charge of conscripting the people of the land and sixty of his men who were found in the city. 20 Nebuzaradan the commander took them all and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 21 There at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, the king had them executed. So Judah went into captivity, away from her land. NLT
1c. What books does he write? Jeremiah writes two of the books of the Old Testament, Jeremiah and Lamentations. He is known as the weeping prophet because of his book of Lamentations which tells of Jeremiah mourning the loss of Jerusalem to captivity by the Babylonians, which he foretold in his first book Jeremiah.
2a. During the exile two prophets encourage the people, who are they and what books do they write? The two prophets that encourage the exiles during the 70 years in Babylon are Ezekiel and Daniel. Ezekiel writes the book of Ezekiel and Daniel writes the book of Daniel. Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet who was taken into captivity during the second siege on Jerusalem in 587 B.C. We know much more about Daniel, he was one of the young noble men of Israel that King Nebuchadnezzar took and trained and put in his service. This means Daniel received the finest education available in those days. He was smart and top of his class. Jesus refers to him as a prophet, Jewish tradition and those in his day.
3a. During this exile the Jewish people become part of their captor’s culture. What do we know about the main prophet, Daniel, and his job that affirms this? Daniel was in the Kings court and served as the ruler over the entire province of Babylon as well as the head of all the empire’s wise men. See Daniel 2:48-49
4a. Although the Babylonians had been the big empire, a new empire comes on the scene and takes over. What empire is it? After King Nebuchadnezzar died and his successor sits on the throne, the Mede Persian Empire sweeps in and takes over the Babylonian Empire. Read about when this happens in Daniel 5.
4b. What happens to Daniel our faithful and encouraging prophet to the people? Although much jealousy exists in the new Mede-Persian Empire and others don’t like Daniel. King Darius does. King Darius is an underling to King Cyrus of Persia. Read about how God proves himself faithful to Daniel even when others scheme to take his life in Daniel 6. Note what we are told in Daniel 6:28, after these things occur, “Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” It is during this time that Daniel tells us in Daniel 9: 1-2, that he had been reading from the book of Jeremiah when he realized the prophet had foretold that Jerusalem would be desolate 70 years while they laid in captivity. Daniel realizes the time for captivity is up and believes it is the time for the Messiah. It is in this book and chapter that the angel Gabriel visits Daniel and lays out the correct understanding of the timeline for events that are set to happen, including the rebuilding, when Messiah is to come even stating he will be killed , then the destruction of the city and Temple again, and a future 7 year peace treaty with Israel.
Devotional 8: Return Era
1a. The first subject has to do with what has happened to the city of Jerusalem during the 70 years of captivity in Babylon. How would you describe the condition of the city? During the captivity, the city of Jerusalem has been neglected. Remember, it had been under siege prior to it’s captivity, not only has it undergone massive damage from the war of the past, now 70 years of neglect and erosion makes the city a place we would only call a ruin today.
1b. Name a book of the Bible where this is recorded in? 17 So the Lord brought the king of Babylon against them. The Babylonians? killed Judah’s young men, even chasing after them into the Temple. They had no pity on the people, killing both young men and young women, the old and the infirm. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 18 The king took home to Babylon all the articles, large and small, used in the Temple of God, and the treasures from both the Lord’s Temple and from the palace of the king and his officials. 19 Then his army burned the Temple of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, burned all the palaces, and completely destroyed everything of value.? 20 The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon, and they became servants to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said. 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 NLT
2a. The second subject has to do with the initial rebuilding. What is first rebuilt? The last paragraph in the book of 2 Chronicles and the first paragraph in the book of Ezra open with the same story. It is the story to rebuild the Temple in the ruined and neglected city of Jerusalem.
2b. Who gives the command for this to be done? Read 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, to see the answer is a gentile man, named King Cyrus of Persia. Keep in mind it is the Medeo-Persian Empire that takes over the Babylonians approximately 70 years after they captured the southern kingdom of Israel, known as Judah. The Medeo-Persian Empire is the new super power at this time. 22 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah.? ? He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: 23 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are the Lord’s people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!” 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 NLT
2c. Who is the Jewish man who undergoes this task? Over and over again in the book of Ezra, we are told how one man from the tribe of Levi (the priestly tribe) continued to be the one to step up and get the people building on the Temple. Time and time again we see oppostion come, work stop, but this one man is always mentioned in continuing or restarting the rebuilding efforts of the Temple. His name is Zerrubbabel. Read some of Zerubbabel’s determination, “In early autumn,? when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled in Jerusalem with a unified purpose. 2 Then Jeshua son of Jehozadak? joined his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his family in rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. They wanted to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the Law of Moses, the man of God. 3 Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord each morning and evening. Ezra 3:1-3 NLT “8 The construction of the Temple of God began in midspring,? during the second year after they arrived in Jerusalem. The work force was made up of everyone who had returned from exile, including Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jehozadak and his fellow priests, and all the Levites. The Levites who were twenty years old or older were put in charge of rebuilding the Lord’s Temple.” Ezra 3:8 “24 So the work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem had stopped, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.? 5 At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak? responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them.” Ezra 4:24- 5:2
3a. The Temple is not the only thing that needs rebuilding, this next subject has to do with something living. Who is instrumental in this rebuilding? Next we see another Jewish Levite priest arrive on the scene in Jerusalem. His name is Ezra. Ezra did not come to Jerusalem initially. The bible tells us it was in the 7th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign that he came (see Ezra 7:7). This is after the Temple has finished being rebuilt (see Ezra 6:15). What needs rebuilding is not just the Temple, but the people as well. There faith needs rebuilding. Think about this new generation that has arrived in Jerusalem. They grew up in Babylonia. They grew up without a temple or the customs and traditions of the generations before them. They had a faith, but it was not a faith based on very much truth. They needed truth to be rebuilt in their lives.
3b. What do you see him do? In chapter 9 of Ezra, we see this man of God praying for the spiritual condition of the returned Jewish people. He is fully aware that they are consumed with many of the same sins that sent them into exile over 70 years ago. Their fate is not bright unless they will turn their hearts to God. In chapter 8 through 10 of Nehemiah, you see Ezra reading the Law (the first five books of our Bible) to the Jewish people. He is teaching them to know God’s Word and encouraging them to follow it’s teaching. Ezra is credited with writing 1 and 2 Chronicles. Jewish tradtion teaches that Ezra wrote the recap of this hisory of Israel’s Kings to teach the returning exiles their own history as most were ignorant given their years in captivity.
4a. Even though the Temple is up and running, the people are relearning the ways of God. Something is still broken, what is it? The temple is up and running, the people have homes to live in, Ezra and the other priest are teaching the word of God, but the walls of the city of Jerusalem are still in disrepair. Look what Nehemiah tells us in chapter 1. “These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign,? I was at the fortress of Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:1-3
4b. Who helps complete the construction? In chapter 1 of Nehemiah, Nehemiah is so distraught with the state of disrepair of his country’s city, that he begins to fast and pray to the Lord, to grant him favor with the king of Persia to be able to help with the rebuilding that is needed. In chapter 2 we see him speak to the king and make his request known. As that chapter closes Nehemiah is on his way to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and gates with the help of the king.
4c. What book can you find this story in? For the complete story read the book of Nehemiah.
Bonus: Did you notice in one of the passages you read above, that two prophets were mentioned, Haggai and Zechariah. Their prospective prophet books were written during this return period and specifically during the rebuilding of the Temple. Both were written to encourage the people during the rebuilding. One other prophetic book is written after this. It is the book of Malachi and Malachi writes after the Temple has been completed, but the city of Jerusalem still lays in ruins. He writes during the rebuilding of the city walls and the time when Nehemiah arrives on the scene to put up those city gates. Lastly one other book is penned during the return. It is the book of Esther. Esther is a Jewish virgin, who is taken as a possible candidate for queen to King Xerxes of Persia. Esther did not return to Jerusalem with the group of exiles. Many others did not return either. This is brought out in this story of how God protected and granted favor to the Jews left behind in captivity. It should be remembered that even though Jewish people were allowed to return and rebuild their precious city. They were not a sovereign nation, they were still under the rule of foreign government and would remain that way for thousands of year to come.
Devotional 9: Silence Era
1a. At the end of the Old Testament, Israel is ruled by Persian Empire, but they don’t stay in power for too long. What two world powers go on to rule Israel next? Alexander the Great defeated the ruling Persian empire in 333 B.C. Greek language and culture influence the known world at that time. When Alexander dies at a young age, the Greek Empire is cut into fourths, but the Greek culture, language and influence continue. From that division, one new super power will arise supreme, the Roman Empire. So the Silent Era is dominated by the march of the Nations that pass from Babylon to Persia to Greece to Rome.
1b. Do any of the Old Testament Books predict their rise to power? Going back to the book of Daniel, you will see the Lord reveal the march of the nations to Daniel through various dreams and visions during the Babylonian reign of the Exile Era. Read Daniel 11 which occurs at the beginning of the Return Era and note how God outlines much of what will happen over the next several hundred years., this time calling out Greek Empire by name.
2a. You won’t find any information in your Bible about these two people groups, however, Barabbas would have been considered one of them. What are they called? The Maccabeans and the Zealots were groups of militant Jews during the occupation of their land.
2b. What do they do during the 400 year silent era? These militant groups revolt against the foreign rule of their land. Their goal is to make Israel an independent nation again. Barabbas was in jail for insurrection against the Roman rule and murder at the time Jesus went on trial. Read Luke 23:24-25 “So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.”
3a. During this era two Jewish people groups dominate the daily culture of the Jewish people. What are the two groups called? There are two main religious groups in Jerusalem during the silent era. You will see them in power as we move into the next time frame, the Gospel Era. They are called Sadducees and Pharisees. The Pharisees consist mostly of scribes while the Sadducees are known to be more liberal and consist more of the elite ruling class. Both use promotion of religious rule to gain authority over the people.
3b. What is their ruling board called? The Sanhedrin is the ruling board which consists of members from both the Sadducees and Pharisees.
4a. Having been held captive by foreign nations for hundreds of years now, the Israelite people are looking forward to what event? The people are desperately longing for a savior, and the Word of God has promised them just that. Some think it means the nation of Israel will rise again. Some realize the people need a spiritual awakening as well. The political climate and the strict lifestyle demanded by the religious leaders certainly make many long for the awaited Messiah.
4b. Do you recall any old or new testament passage that confirms this?
“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him.” Luke 2:25
“ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:28
“Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.” Luke 3:15
Devotional 10: Gospel Era
1a. The first division is the birth of the Promised Messiah. Who was he, who were his earthly parents? The Promised Messiah is none other than Jesus Christ! He is the son of Joseph (a descendant of Kind David) and Mary, a young engaged couple from Nazareth.
1b. What was unusual about his mother? Mary was a young girl (probably in her teens) and was a virgin at the time she conceived (by the Holy Spirit) her son Jesus.
1c. Where was he born? Prior to Jesus’ birth, King Herod issued a decree that a census should be take of the entire Roman world. Joseph and Mary traveled to Joseph’s own town of Bethlehem to register. This is where Jesus was born.
1d. Where did he grow up? Jesus grew up in Nazareth and grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God.
2a. In His Early Ministry, Jesus has grown up and begins to reveal that he is the Messiah. Three distinct things occur during this time. Name the first thing that happens that involves John the Baptist? John the Baptist (actually Jesus’ cousin) was prophesied as the forerunner to Christ. He announced the coming of the King to the world. The ministry of John the Baptist was to be the herald of Jesus Christ and to preach repentance and forgiveness. John baptized Jesus and the Spirit of God rested on Jesus, announcing Him as God’s beloved Son.
2b. Name the second thing that involves satan? Jesus was led into the wilderness to face the first major conflict of His public ministry—being tempted by satan. Satan tempted Christ with food (He had been fasting for 40 days/nights) and His own divine powers. Jesus prevailed over satan’s temptations by the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
2c. How is he received during this time and why? At first, Jesus was welcomed by the people as they hoped He would deliver them out of the oppression of Rome. His ministry grew and many became followers and disciples.
3a. During His Later Ministry, these people are very jealous of Jesus. Who are they and why are they jealous? Once Jesus’ ministry was revealed in a more spiritual way rather than in a political way, the Jewish religious leaders turned against Him. These Jewish leaders (chief scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees) saw Jesus as a threat to their religious “system”.
3b. Does Jesus try to teach them? Jesus tries to show the religious leaders of the day and the Jewish people that He was Messiah, the Son of God.
4a. The final division involves Jesus Death and Resurrection. Who succeeds in turning the people against Jesus? The Jewish leaders (chief priests and leaders) worked together to turn the people against Jesus.
4b. What do these people do? These people appeal to Pilate, the Roman Emperor, to crucify Jesus on the grounds of blasphemy and of claiming to be the King of the Jews. These claims would make Jesus an enemy of the Roman emperor, therefore making the punishment seem fitting.
4c. What happens to Jesus? Jesus is handed over to be crucified like a criminal. He hangs on a tree for 6 excruciating hours, dying not only from a horrible physical death, but dying from a broken heart, for He bore the sins of the whole world—past, present and future.
4d. Is this the end of Jesus? Praise God that His death was not the end...He has RISEN!