First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Devotional: Zechariah 4

Today’s passage: Zechariah 4

Helpful thoughts:

  • This fifth version encourages the completion of the building of the temple.
  • The lamps would have used olive oil.  So, the trees on either side, along with the bowl and the pipes that are represented give the idea of a lamp that continually burns without need of human intervention.
  • The two anointed positions depicted in verse 14 are believed to be that of the king and the priest.  At the time of this vision, that would have been Zerubbabel (In the line of David) and Joshua (The line of the High Priests).
    • Christ fulfills both “anointings.”

Questions to consider:

  1. In reading verse 7, who might we give all the credit to for the successful building? But then, when we go back and read verse 6, what do we remember?  Whose power is truly at work?  How does this give us confidence when we read verses like Philippians 1:6 and Romans 8:29-30?
  2. Can any mountain (Or any other obstacle or opponent) stop God from accomplishing what He has promised?  What are some promises of God we see in His Word that can give you great encouragement to overcome obstacles?
  3. The people who had seen Solomon’s temple had mourned the reduction in size and magnificence in the new temple, but God tells the people in verse 10, “whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.”  How might our perspective on how great things are (Or how insignificant) differ from God’s?

Devotional: Zechariah 3

Today’s passage: Zechariah 3

Helpful thoughts:

  • Joshua was the high priest who came back from the exile along with Zerubbabel in Ezra 3:2.  The spellings of “Joshua” and “Jeshua” are the same person in these passages.
    • Joshua is standing before God as a representative of the nation.  These accusations, grace, blessing, etc. are not just for him, but for all Israel.
  • Israel was worthy of these filthy garments.  Satan did not have to falsify any report or accusation of filth.  But God, who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) graciously clothes his chosen people in clean (righteous) garments.
    • The new priestly outfit was not complete without a new turban.  The priestly turban read, “Holiness to the Lord” (Exodus 28:36-37).  This holiness was gifted to Israel, and was now expected of her.
  • There are three references to the coming Christ in verses 8 and 9:

Questions to consider:

  1. In what ways do we see the themes of guilt, mercy, grace, forgiveness and repentance today?  In what ways do the components of this vision preach the gospel?
  2. How did the Stone which the builders rejected remove the iniquity of His people?  Where and when did that removal of sin take place (Romans 5:6-11)?
  3. What is the sign depicted of Joshua the priest (And all his companions, who were other priests who would come after him) representing Israel before God?  What would have been true of all of them?  Who alone can righteously stand before God on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16)?

Devotional: Zechariah 2

Today’s passage: Zechariah 2

Helpful thoughts:

  • The vision from chapter 2 again looks forward to the millennial city of Jerusalem.  The man with the measuring line in hand is measuring out just how big Jerusalem will one day be.
  • There was practical purpose for building the physical walls around the city of Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s time, but if God determines to protect His people, they need no other wall! (Verse 5)
  • Verse 8 reminds us, when you mess with God’s people, you mess with God.  (Romans 8:31)
    • And Christians, by God’s grace we have been included.  He calls us, “My people.” (Verse 11)

Questions to consider:

  1. If God’s people are so enamored with His glory in their midst (Verse 5), do you think they would even be worried about what is going on outside the city?  What causes us to fear in this world?  What can turning our attention towards God’s glorious love do for us, even in this life (1 John 4:18)?
  2. In the end, regardless of how people “felt” or thought about God in this life, what will all mankind be left to do before our Holy God (Verse 13)?  Who is our God and what is the only right response of His own creation before Him (Philippians 2:10-11)?
  3. How can these truths give us confidence (A humble confidence) to love people around us today?

Devotional: Zechariah 1:7-21

Today’s passage: Zechariah 1:7-21

Helpful thoughts:

  • If, like me, you aren’t a horse expert, here is what a “sorrel” horse looks like.
  • These angels had been sent to patrol the earth.  They were scouting out the nations in preparation for military-like action.
    • The nations were found to be at rest, which was a stark contrast to the struggles of Jerusalem.
    • God commits here to again defend Jerusalem and bless the people.
  • The vision of the four horns and four craftsmen appears to be similar (Pointing to the same events) as that of Daniel 2 and 7.
    • If that’s the case, then the fourth “craftsmen” would be Jesus Christ Himself.

Questions to consider:

  1. What do we learn about God in this passage?  He is all-knowing and eternal, and yet He interacts with these angels and with mankind in a way that allows us to interact and learn about who He is, what does that teach us about Him?
  2. How does God think about and care for those whom He has chosen?  Even when He used a foreign nation to discipline Jerusalem, what made him angry about their heart in doing that (Verse 15)?
  3. Who was the commander of the Lord’s army in verse 11?  The Angel of the Lord is a name used in the Old Testament for the Pre-incarnate Christ…how does this scene showing Him to be the commander tie in with Revelation 19:11-21?

Devotional: Zechariah 1:1-6

Today’s passage: Zechariah 1:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

  • Zechariah was born in Babylon and served as a priest in Jerusalem after the return from exile, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
  • This book opens with a call to repentance.  After their return from exile (Which had been a consequence of their sin), the people continued in their sin!  God calls this logic (Or the lack thereof) into question.
  • In the end of verse 6, we see the response of the people.  They repented and acknowledged the truth of God’s rebuke.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why would the Lord continue to refer to Himself as the Lord of Hosts in this rebuke toward the people?  How had He shown Himself to be the God who commands the armies (Think: Angel armies, Israel’s armies, even foreign armies) to accomplish His will?  Why does it make so much sense to follow His commands even at this level of understanding?
  2. With all the logical sense that demands we obey God, do we?  Were the Jews ever going to nail down perfect obedience before God?  Could we?  Why not?  (John 8:31-34)
  3. What is our only hope of freedom from this slavery to sin (Romans 6:1-7)?  Who sets us free?

Devotional: Haggai 2:10-23

Today’s passage: Haggai 2:10-23

Helpful thoughts:

  • In the law concerning ceremonial cleanness, “clean” things could not make the unclean, clean.  However, “unclean” things could make what was clean, unclean.
    • The people were proceeding with worship without the temple and without worshiping God His way.  The offerings they were bringing were made unclean and unacceptable.
    • We might like to think we can do one good thing to undo a wrong, like penance.
  • God made a clear promise to the Jews.  Since they had refused to obey previously, they were not blessed.  Once the building of the temple resumed, His blessing came.
  • Zerubbabel should have/would have been the king of Judah had there been no rebellion and exile (Matthew 1:12-13, Luke 3:27 – He is in both Joseph and Mary’s line).  In the final verses, the Lord points forward to “That day” (The day of Christ’s rule and reign) and encourages Zerubbabel in his future role.

Questions to consider:

  1. Can a sinner cleanse his or herself?  Why not?  When Jesus touched the “unclean” lepers, what happened to them (Matthew 8:1-3)?  Did Jesus become unclean? Who alone can cleanse the unclean?
  2. What can we learn from this principle of the “Clean” and “Unclean”?  How does it relate to the idea of us being in the world, but not of it?  What (Or better, who) can we offer to the world for cleansing?
  3. God commanded the Jews to obey Him and also revealed to them His eternal reign.  When does looking forward to God’s future once-and-for-all victory produce an apathetic response, taking it for granted?  When does looking forward to God’s future promises instead produce a fervency to love and obey Him?  What must be true of our hearts to be motivated toward worship?

Devotional: Haggai 2:1-9

Today’s passage: Haggai 2:1-9

Helpful thoughts:

  • Those who had seen Solomon’s temple needed some encouraging after realizing the new temple would not compare (Ezra 3:11-13).  God reminded them the temple was not their glory.  He was their glory and He would be with them.
  • Even though the new temple after the exile was not as spectacular, there will come a day when the Lord’s glory would fill the temple again in Jerusalem.
    • This passage refers to the second coming of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom!
  • In a time of economic struggle, and the realization that Israel was not what it once was, the people here are reminded; God owns everything.  God rules over everything.  His sovereign will must come to pass.

Questions to consider:

  1. In what way will Christ become the treasure or the “Desire of All Nations” when He comes again? When we see Christ as our greatest treasure, how does it help us to see the “treasures” of this world more clearly?
  2. How can these truths about God’s power and promises give us comfort when it “looks” like things are not going in the right direction?  Whose side are we on?  Who is our champion?  Who can defeat the Lord of Hosts?
  3. What kind of temple is being built today (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18)?  How then should we apply the call to, “Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord” (Verse 4)? (Matthew 28:19-20, Notice the promise of God’s presence in both commands.)

Devotional: Haggai 1

Today’s passage: Haggai 1

Helpful thoughts:

  • Haggai prophesied after the return from the Babylonian exile.  He is mentioned in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14.
  • The Jews had come to prioritize other things in life over the worship of the Lord.  The need to build the temple first (Or not) characterized their heart of worship (Or the lack thereof).
  • God sent His word and the promise of His presence to His people with this command.  With His words, He stirred up their hearts to obey (Verse 14).

Questions to consider:

  1. What does this passage teach us about our priorities (Matthew 6:33)?  When we get booged down with the cares of this life and think we do not have time for God, what are we forgetting?  Is there anything we could do that isn’t part of our worship to God (1 Corinthians 10:31)?
  2. How did God stir the hearts of these leaders and the people to obey?  When they weren’t obeying what did He do (Hebrews 12:11)?  When they needed correction, what did He give them (And now to us)? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  3. What did repentance look like for the people in this situation (Verse 14)?  Do we simply stop sinning, or do we replace our wrong-doing or inaction with something different and good (Ephesians 4:22-32)?  How could this biblical principle help you to change and grow?

Devotional: Nehemiah 13

Today’s passage: Nehemiah 13

Helpful thoughts:

  • This chapter is believed to be the final chapter written in the Old Testament chronologically.  The final book in the minor prophets (Malachi) was written in conjunction with the events of this chapter.
  • This final chapter is really quite sad.  As soon as Nehemiah was away and back at his post with the king of Persia, the Jewish leaders and people began to tear things apart all over again.
    • The people were breaking the Sabbath.
    • The High Priests family was desecrating the temple, consorting with the enemy (Sanballat & Tobiah), and intermarrying with pagans.
      • In preparing a room for Tobiah in the temple, this would have included setting up pagan idols…in the temple.
    • The Jewish people’s children were speaking the languages of other nations (Meaning, in their marriages with the pagan peoples, they were being assimilated into the world and forfeiting their distinction as God’s chosen people).
  • The Jewish people were never going to be able to keep the covenant.  They were and are sinners (Just like the rest of us).  Man cannot accomplish righteousness through our own efforts.  We need rescue.  We need a savior!

Questions to consider:

  1. Why do you think, Nehemiah asked the Lord three times to remember him and his efforts for Jerusalem and these people?  If you were in charge of a large group of people who were supposed to be following God and they continually rebelled, how might you feel about your leadership?
  2. While some might see the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as a time of triumph for the nation of Israel, what should we learn from them as it relates to the whole of Scripture?  How does the continual inability of Israel/Jerusalem to live righteously point forward to the need for the Messiah to be a suffering servant and once-and-for-all sacrifice?
  3. How does the reality that man cannot achieve righteousness on our own point you to Jesus?  Both for your salvation and your sanctification?  How can it affect how you pray for others as well?  How does it change how we might measure fruitfulness in our life?

Devotional: Nehemiah 12

Today’s passage: Nehemiah 12

Helpful thoughts:

  • In today’s chapter we get a detailed list of the priests and Levites (Generations worth) who would serve after the return from exile…
  • And the account of the celebration for the dedication of the wall around Jerusalem.
  • David was said to have invented different instruments during his lifetime.  These could have been played on this occasion (Verse 36, Amos 6:5).

Questions to consider:

  1. What was the expression of emotion common among the people during these festivities (Verse 43)?  Why does this verse say the people became this way?
  2. What did the joy that God gave the people cause them to do?  When God puts joy in our hearts (Galatians 5:22), what does it give us desire to do and with whom?  Then, after we follow Christ together what does it give us (John 15:10-11)?
  3. To whom was the thanksgiving and singing directed?  Were the Jews all patting themselves on the back?  Was Nehemiah trying to hold a party in his own honor?  Why was it right and good for the people to give praise to God alone?  How does this compare to our need to praise and thank God for our salvation in Christ?