DOCSLIB.ORG

A Pilgrimage Through the Old Testament

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

A PILGRIMAGE THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT ** Year 3 of 3 ** (Part 1 of 2) Cold Harbor Road Church Of Christ Mechanicsville, Virginia Old Testament Curriculum TABLE OF CONTENTS Lesson 105: REBUILDING GOD’S TEMPLE Ezra 3-6.......................................................................................................... 4 Lesson 106: GOD GUIDES EZRA Ezra 7-10 ........................................................................................................ 9 Lesson 107: REBUILDING JERUSALEM’S WALL Nehemiah 1-6................................................................................................ 14 Lesson 108: SPIRITUAL RESETTLEMENT AND REFORM Nehemiah 7-13.............................................................................................. 20 Lesson 109: ESTHER’S DEVOTION TO GOD AND HER PEOPLE Esther 1-2....................................................................................................... 26 Lesson 110: ESTHER’S GREAT FAITH Esther 3-6....................................................................................................... 29 Lesson 111: ESTHER PETITIONS THE KING Esther 7-10..................................................................................................... 34 Lesson 112: JOB’S SUFFERINGS Job 1-21 .......................................................................................................... 38 Lesson 113: JOB IS BLESSED BY GOD Job 22-41 ........................................................................................................ 44 Lesson 114: REVIEW Ezra - Job ....................................................................................................... 50 Lesson 115: SONGS AND PRAYERS OF DAVID Psalms 1-41.................................................................................................... 53 Lesson 116: HYMNS OF DAVID AND KORAH Psalms 42-72.................................................................................................. 61 Lesson 117: PRAISES TO GOD BY ASAPH Psalms 73-89.................................................................................................. 68 Lesson 118: ANONYMOUS SPIRITUAL SONGS Psalms 90-106................................................................................................ 73 Lesson 119: ANTHEMS OF PRAISE BY DAVID AND OTHERS Psalms 107-150.............................................................................................. 80 Lesson 120: WISDOM/BETTER THAN RUBIES Proverbs 1-9 .................................................................................................. 87 Lesson 121: PEACE, JOY, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Proverbs 10-16............................................................................................... 92 Lesson 122: TRUST IN THE LORD Proverbs 17-24............................................................................................... 96 Lesson 123: TRUE RICHES Proverbs 25-31............................................................................................... 103 Lesson 124: SOLOMON SEEKS THE MEANING OF LIFE Ecclesiastes 1-6.............................................................................................. 110 Lesson 125: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS Ecclesiastes 7-12............................................................................................ 116 Lesson 126: TRUE LOVE Song Of Solomon 1-8.................................................................................... 122 Lesson 127: REVIEW Psalms - Song Of Solomon........................................................................... 128 Lesson 128: POLITICAL, MORAL, AND SOCIAL JUDAH Isaiah 1-23...................................................................................................... 138 Lesson 129: PREDICTIONS AND PROMISES Isaiah 24-39.................................................................................................... 145 Lesson 130: JESUS IS COMING Isaiah 40-66.................................................................................................... 150 Page 4 Old Testament Lesson 105: Rebuilding God’s Temple Text: Ezra 3-6 Memory Verses: Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Goals: Student will learn: • not to be discouraged by those who do wrong, but to strive to please God by doing good. • God cares for our needs because He loves us so much. Outline: I. Beginning to rebuild God's temple. Ezra 3 A. The altar rebuilt. B. Workmen and building materials assembled. C. The foundation is laid. II. Opposition to God's temple. Ezra 4 A. Tempters of compromise. B. Lying letters. C. King Artaxerxes stops their work. III. Building resumes. Ezra 5 A. God's prophets encourage His people. B. Tatnai's tattletale letter to King Darius. IV. God's temple is finished. Ezra 6 A. Discovering Cyrus' decree. B. King Darius' decree. C. Help issued. D. Celebrating the temple dedication/Passover. OT Lesson 105 Page 5 Ezra 3-6 Facts: 1. Soon after arriving in Judah, Jeshua and Zerubbabel gathered the Jews in Jerusalem to rebuild God's altar on its original site. They offered sacrifices to Jehovah and celebrated the Feast of Trumpets. Two weeks later, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. (Numbers 29:13) They were fully aware of their need for God's protection as they re-entered this inhabited territory. This occurred about September, 536 B.C. The following spring, they were ready to lay the temple's foundation. 2. Stone masons and carpenters were hired. Cedar logs from Tyre and Sidon were brought down the Lebanon mountains and floated down the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa. King Cyrus included this provision in his grant to the Jews. All those who had returned became workers on the temple under the direction of Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and 341 fellow priests and Levites. (Compare their resources to what Solomon had in II Chronicles 2-23:4.) 3. Once the foundation was completed, the priests, in their finest robes, gathered the people in joyous celebration and thanksgiving to God for His love and mercy toward them. This was observed much as when the ark had been brought by David to Jerusalem. (I Chronicles 16:5, 6) The psalm sung (Psalms 136:1) was in reference to Jeremiah's prophesy. (Jeremiah 33:11) 4. While most were overwhelmed by joy, many of the older men able to recall the splendor of Solomon's temple openly wept. Fifty years had passed since its destruction. Such shouts of joy mingled with weeping, created a loud noise heard from far away. 5. Now, trouble for the Jews began. Isaiah had prophesied the northern ten tribes would cease to be a distinct nation within sixty five years (734 B.C.). (Isaiah 7:8) This was fulfilled by 669 B.C. within the reign of Esar-haddon of Assyria who transplanted foreigners throughout Samaria, who in turn, intermarried with Israelites. (II Kings 17:24) The returned remnant now constituted the majority of the Jewish nation, relocated in their old territories. Their northern descendants now cunningly approached Zerubbabel offering to “help” them rebuild God's temple. 6. To have accepted the help of these pagans on an equal basis with true Jews would not have been pleasing to God in the rebuilding of His temple. Besides these Samaritans really only sought to discourage their efforts and later build their own temple at Mt. Gerizim. (John 4:20-22) Zerubbabel and the Jewish leaders resisted the temptation to compromise and told the Samaritans they must do the work themselves. 7. Then, the local people tried to frighten them, by writing lies about them to high officials such as King Cyrus (535-530 B.C.), Cambyses (530-522 B.C.), Smerdis (522 B.C.), and Darius I (521-520 B.C.). Local governors, scribes, judges, and other leaders who had been deported from Babylon, Persia, Erech, and Susa to Jerusalem and Samaria joined in writing to King Artaxerxes. (They wrote in Aramaic, the commercial language of the fertile crescent during the first millennium B.C.) 8. Their letters accused the Jews of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. They professed great concern for the safety and welfare of the Persian king. Their report was highly exaggerated. They claimed they did not want to see the king taken advantage of by these rebellious Jews who would probably quit paying their taxes soon so that was the purpose of their report. These men were on the king's OT Lesson 105 Page 6 Ezra 3-6 payroll. They encouraged a search of the historical records which would surely show how evil the Jews were and if their rebuilding was not stopped, they would soon take over Persia's empire beyond the Euphrates River. 9. King Artaxerxes responded to the letter written by Rehum and Shimshai, the scribe, by writing that he had ordered a search of the records. He realized there had been some very great kings of that area before (David, Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, etc.) and that it was an area where rebellion and insurrection had been common. (II Kings 24, II Chronicles 36:13) So, while he investigated the matter, he had the Jews stop their rebuilding of the temple. 10. Delighted with the king's reply, they hurried to
Recommended publications
  • Psalm 89-93: Christ Our New King June 6, 2021 Message: Take a Few

    Psalm 89-93: Christ Our New King June 6, 2021 Message: Take a Few

    Psalm 89-93: Christ Our New King June 6, 2021 Message: Take a few moments to review the message notes from Sunday. What was your main takeaway from this message? Digging Deeper: Small Group Discussion 1.) What stood out to you? 2.) (Psalm 89) From the people’s perspective… their reality did not align with all of God’s promises. What happens when your reality fails to align with what you know to be true about God? 3.) (Psalm 90) In verse 12, what do you think it means when Moses says, “Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”? 4.) (Psalm 91) God is our protection in verses 9 and 10, is God’s protection available to everyone? 5.) (Psalm 91:10) Does God’s protection mean Christians are immune from all harm? 6.) Satan quotes verse 11 to Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:9-12). The devil would like us to think that God’s promises have failed especially if He lets us suffer. Where does verse 15 say God will be? 7.) When the Israelites were tested in the wilderness they fell for Satan’s temptations. When Jesus was tested by Satan in the wilderness, He resisted temptation. What type of guidance does he model for us? 8.) (Psalm 92) This chapter is titled “A Song for the Sabbath Day.” It was written to be sung in community on the sabbath day. What do verses 1-4 teach us about praising God? 9.) (Psalm 93) This chapter reminds us the Lord reigns over all.
  • Dr. Brian Simmons Lesson 4 / Psalm 4: ​An Evening Prayer for Help For

    Dr. Brian Simmons Lesson 4 / Psalm 4: ​An Evening Prayer for Help For

    The Passion Translation | Psalms Study | Dr. Brian Simmons Lesson 4 / Psalm 4: An Evening Prayer for Help ​ For the Pure and Shining One. For the end. A melody by King David. “No matter what happens, I will live unafraid.” (v.8) This precious declaration of Psalm 4 is the inheritance of all God’s devoted ones. And, oh, what a treasure it is! Far beyond any earthly wealth or material source of security is the blessed confidence of knowing that God sees us, hears us, and will answer our cries for help. We are not orphans! This is the first of fifty-five Psalms addressed in the inscription: to The Chief Choir Director, or Choirmaster. For believers today, we know that the Chief (Head) musician is Jesus Christ! He is the Director of music who sings in the midst of His people (Heb.2:12). He is also the Chief Cornerstone as well as the Chief Shepherd who spent the night watch praying to the Father and was heard out of His distress. This psalm is known as the Hymn of the Evening. The Septuagint reads, “For the end”, however in Hebrew it is rendered “smitings” or “plucking strings.” During the days of Absalom’s rebellion, David ran from Jerusalem and slept out in the fields. Perhaps it was written the evening after writing Psalm 3. This is a prayer for help as evening closes in. David, in whatever situation he was in, found himself desperately needing God’s help. It is a melody of David composed in a difficult situation.
  • 7] Arise, O Lord; Save Me, O My God: for Thou Hast Smitten All Mine Enemies Upon the Cheek Bone; Thou Hast Broken the Teeth of the Ungodly

    7] Arise, O Lord; Save Me, O My God: for Thou Hast Smitten All Mine Enemies Upon the Cheek Bone; Thou Hast Broken the Teeth of the Ungodly

    The World Is A Dangerous Place, But God Will Be Our Protection Psalm 3:1-5 KJV Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. [2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. [3] But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. [4] I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. [5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. David's son, Absalom, was trying to kill him; and David was running for his life when he sang this song. David was a man that knew that his God would keep him protected, if he believed in God's protection. Today I want you to see that God will protect you as well, if you believe for it. You do not have to fear being destroyed by anything, if you believe that God is your shield. In verse three, David declared that the Lord was his shield. A shield separates you from danger. Let's look at Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Notice that faith is declared to be a shield in this verse; and in Psalms 3:3, the Lord is David's shield. I believe if we have faith in the Lord protecting us, He becomes our shield.
  • January 2018 Tiger Chat

    January 2018 Tiger Chat

    January 2018 Homecoming Hunter Burkybile The Crown King and Queen and Alexa Carrillo Homecoming court– Jus- tin Jarnagin and Breanna Patterson, Zaine Cheater and Chelsea Dunbar, Bryar Chandler and Ju- dith Medina, Hunter Burkybile, and Alexa Carrillo, Kiante Edwards and Laney Smith, Maver- ick Manning and Josalynn Barr, Ty Miller 2017 COMMERCE PLAYOFFS and Halle North. The Commerce years. The Tigers lentlessly this Tigers played the won 21-14 and year, with the Salina Wildcats in rolled on to defeat team accomplish- the first round of Valliant in the sec- ing many records the OSSAA State ond round by a and awards such COMMERCE HIGH SCHOOL Playoffs. The Ti- score of 48-28. as the Bi-District gers were off to a The Tigers rolled Championship. slow start but with on all the way to 2017 was a year nice defensive the Third Round the Tigers will re- stands late into the where they fell to member, forever. game, the Tigers a very Senior By; Hayden Moss were able to notch heavy team, their first win in Washington. The Tiger Chat the bracket in 4 Tigers played re- Winter Bass Fishing By; Reese Littlejohn Catching bass in the winter winter, try fishing with large sometimes a silver-colored may not be as easy as it is in soft plastic swim baits or bait with a slow fall will the spring and summer. spinner baits but throw work too. The deeper and Bass tend to not chase as them slow and deep. In the slower you fish in the cold, much and do not like to winter, some small fish also the better chance you have.
  • NLT) Psalm 46 (NIV

    NLT) Psalm 46 (NIV

    Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Psalm 4:8 (NLT) In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 31:21-22 (NLT) Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Psalm 46 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.
  • Notes on Psalms 2015 Edition Dr

    Notes on Psalms 2015 Edition Dr

    Notes on Psalms 2015 Edition Dr. Thomas L. Constable Introduction TITLE The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is Tehillim, which means "praise songs." The title adopted by the Septuagint translators for their Greek version was Psalmoi meaning "songs to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument." This Greek word translates the Hebrew word mizmor that occurs in the titles of 57 of the psalms. In time the Greek word psalmoi came to mean "songs of praise" without reference to stringed accompaniment. The English translators transliterated the Greek title resulting in the title "Psalms" in English Bibles. WRITERS The texts of the individual psalms do not usually indicate who wrote them. Psalm 72:20 seems to be an exception, but this verse was probably an early editorial addition, referring to the preceding collection of Davidic psalms, of which Psalm 72 was the last.1 However, some of the titles of the individual psalms do contain information about the writers. The titles occur in English versions after the heading (e.g., "Psalm 1") and before the first verse. They were usually the first verse in the Hebrew Bible. Consequently the numbering of the verses in the Hebrew and English Bibles is often different, the first verse in the Septuagint and English texts usually being the second verse in the Hebrew text, when the psalm has a title. ". there is considerable circumstantial evidence that the psalm titles were later additions."2 However, one should not understand this statement to mean that they are not inspired. As with some of the added and updated material in the historical books, the Holy Spirit evidently led editors to add material that the original writer did not include.

  • Master Collector

    IN SPORTS: Sumter faces Lexington in Legion playoff series B1 PANORAMA Downtown still rocking Joe Sanford Band next up in SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 C1 WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017 $1.00 Fourth Friday series SCDOR settlement with FTC a shock to counties BY JIM HILLEY sesses large companies.” companies to provide rural The amount of money in- [email protected] Editor’s note: For a late- Much as homeowners can telephone service in unincor- volved is significant, Claren- breaking development on this appeal their property’s assess- porated areas was ignored by don County Administrator Several South Carolina story read Adrienne Sarvis’ ment to the county, compa- the department when assess- David Epperson said Monday counties may be on the hook County Council report at the nies can appeal to depart- ing FTC’s property. at a Clarendon County Coun- to repay significant amounts bottom of this page. ment, he said. In January, a settlement cil meeting. of money to Farmers Tele- FTC, which includes Farm- was reached in the company’s “We and the other counties phone Cooperative and its af- as a basis for collecting ers Telephone Inc., Farmers favor, but according to local may have to give up some ser- filiates because of a settle- taxes. Telephone LLC and Farmers county administrators, the vices,” he said. ment with South Carolina De- “The county doesn’t do Telephone Diversified LLC, counties were not notified “Not only Clarendon Coun- partment of Revenue. those assessments,” Lee appealed its property assess- until the last week in June, ty, but also Sumter County, The department assesses County Administrator Alan ment with the department, Watkins said.
  • 80 Days in the Psalms (Summer 2016)

    80 Days in the Psalms (Summer 2016)

    80 Days in the Psalms (Summer 2016) June 16 Psalm 1, 2 July 6 Psalm 40, 41 July 26 Psalm 80, 81 August 15 Psalm 119 June 17 Psalm 3, 4 July 7 Psalm 42, 43 July 27 Psalm 82, 83 August 16 Psalm 119 June 18 Psalm 5, 6 July 8 Psalm 44, 45 July 28 Psalm 84, 85 August 17 Psalm 119 June 19 Psalm 7, 8 July 9 Psalm 46, 47 July 29 Psalm 86, 87 August 18 Psalm 119 June 20 Psalm 9, 10 July 10 Psalm 48, 49 July 30 Psalm 88, 89 August 19 Psalm 120, 121 June 21 Psalm 11, 12 July 11 Psalm 50, 51 July 31 Psalm 90, 91 August 20 Psalm 122, 123 June 22 Psalm 13, 14 July 12 Psalm 52, 53 August 1 Psalm 92, 93 August 21 Psalm 124, 125 June 23 Psalm 15, 16 July 13 Psalm 54, 55 August 2 Psalm 94, 95 August 22 Psalm 126, 127 June 24 Psalm 17, 18 July 14 Psalm 56, 57 August 3 Psalm 96, 97 August 23 Psalm 128, 129 June 25 Psalm 19, 20 July 15 Psalm 58, 59 August 4 Psalm 98, 99 August 24 Psalm 130, 131 June 26 Psalm 21, 22 July 16 Psalm 60, 61 August 5 Psalm 100, 101 August 25 Psalm 132, 133 June 27 Psalm 23, 23 July 17 Psalm 62, 63 August 6 Psalm 102, 103 August 26 Psalm 134, 135 June 28 Psalm 24, 25 July 18 Psalm 64, 65 August 7 Psalm 104, 105 August 27 Psalm 136, 137 June 29 Psalm 26, 27 July 19 Psalm 66, 67 August 8 Psalm 106, 107 August 28 Psalm 138, 139 June 30 Psalm 28, 29 July 20 Psalm 68, 69 August 9 Psalm 108, 109 August 29 Psalm 140, 141 July 1 Psalm 30, 31 July 21 Psalm 70, 71 August 10 Psalm 110, 111 August 30 Psalm 142, 143 July 2 Psalm 32, 33 July 22 Psalm 72, 73 August 11 Psalm 112, 113 August 31 Psalm 144, 145 July 3 Psalm 34, 35 July 23 Psalm 74, 75 August 12 Psalm 114, 115 September 1 Psalm 146, 147 July 4 Psalm 36, 37 July 24 Psalm 76, 77 August 13 Psalm 116, 117 September 2 Psalm 148, 149 July 5 Psalm 38, 39 July 25 Psalm 78, 79 August 14 Psalm 118 September 3 Psalm 150 How to use this Psalms reading guide: • Read consistently, but it’s okay if you get behind.
  • Psalm 1 Psalm 4 Psalm 23 Psalm 46 Psalm 51 Psalm 62 Psalm 101

    Psalm 1 Psalm 4 Psalm 23 Psalm 46 Psalm 51 Psalm 62 Psalm 101

    On Psalms On Psalms On Psalms On Psalms Psalm 1 Psalm 1 Psalm 1 Psalm 1 My Path My Path My Path My Path Psalm 4 Psalm 4 Psalm 4 Psalm 4 My Comfort & Peace My Comfort & Peace My Comfort & Peace My Comfort & Peace Psalm 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 23 Psalm 23 My Shepherd My Shepherd My Shepherd My Shepherd Psalm 46 Psalm 46 Psalm 46 Psalm 46 My Fortress My Fortress My Fortress My Fortress Psalm 51 Psalm 51 Psalm 51 Psalm 51 My Heart My Heart My Heart My Heart Psalm 62 Psalm 62 Psalm 62 Psalm 62 My Hope My Hope My Hope My Hope Psalm 101 Psalm 101 Psalm 101 Psalm 101 My Integrity My Integrity My Integrity My Integrity DISCOVERY DISCOVERY DISCOVERY DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY 1 GRATITUDE 1 GRATITUDE 1 GRATITUDE 1 GRATITUDE What happened last week What happened last week What happened last week What happened last week for which you are thankful? for which you are thankful? for which you are thankful? for which you are thankful? 2 INTERCESSION 2 INTERCESSION 2 INTERCESSION 2 INTERCESSION What challenge(s) are you What challenge(s) are you What challenge(s) are you What challenge(s) are you facing in your life, family or facing in your life, family or facing in your life, family or facing in your life, family or community? community? community? community? ACCOUNTABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY 3 How did you obey, share 3 How did you obey, share 3 How did you obey, share 3 How did you obey, share and/or meet the need? and/or meet the need? and/or meet the need? and/or meet the need? READ, RE-READ, RE-TELL
  • Theme and Genre in 4Q177 and Its Scriptural Selections

    Theme and Genre in 4Q177 and Its Scriptural Selections

    THEME AND GENRE IN 4Q177 AND ITS SCRIPTURAL SELECTIONS Mark Laughlin and Shani Tzoref Jerusalem 4Q1771 has conventionally been classified as a “thematic pesher,”2 or, more recently as “thematic commentary,”3 or “eschatological midrash.”4 It is one of a group of Qumranic compositions in which the author cites and interprets biblical texts, applying them to the contemporary experience of his community, which he understands to be living in the eschatological era. Unlike the continuous pesharim, thematic pesha- rim are not structured as sequential commentaries on a particular 1 John M. Allegro first pieced together the thirty fragments that he identified as comprising 4Q177, which he labeled 4QCatena A. Cf. John M. Allegro and Arnold A. Anderson. Qumran Cave 4.I (4Q158–4Q186) (DJD V; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1968), 67–74, Pls. XXIV–XXV. John Strugnell subsequently added four additional fragments, and suggested improvements to Allegro’s readings and reconstructions (“Notes en marge,” 236–48). Annette Steudel re-worked the order of the material in 4Q174 and 4Q177, and argued that the two manuscripts should be regarded as parts of a single composition, which she termed 4QMidrEschat. See George J. Brooke, “From Flori- legium or Midrash to Commentary: The Problem of Re/Naming an Adopted Manu- script,” in this volume. Cf. Annette Steudel, Der Midrasch zur Eschatologie aus der Qumrangemeinde (4QMidrEschata,b): Materielle Rekonstruktion, Textbestand, Gattung und traditionsgeschichtliche Einordnung des durch 4Q174 (“Florilegium”) und 4Q177 (“Catenaa”) repräsentierten Werkes aus den Qumranfunden (STDJ 13; Leiden: Brill, 1994). The current discussion will touch upon the relationship between 4Q177 and 4Q174 but is primarily concerned with the composition of 4Q177 itself.
  • Daily Lectionary This Outline Is a Devotional Reading Plan That Covers the Entire Sacred Scriptures Each Year

    Daily Lectionary This Outline Is a Devotional Reading Plan That Covers the Entire Sacred Scriptures Each Year

    Daily Lectionary This outline is a devotional reading plan that covers the entire Sacred Scriptures each year. The selections are based on ancient models and are generally in harmony with the liturgical church year. The average reading is three chapters daily. A seasonal can- ticle is assigned for each month and is scheduled to replace the psalm on the first and last days of the month. All of the psalms are read twice a year. The lectionary is in accordance with Martin Luther’s suggestions: “But let the entire Psalter, divided in parts, remain in use and the entire Scriptures, divided into lections, let this be preserved in the ears of the church.” Also: “After that another book should be se- lected, and so on, until the entire Bible has been read through, and where one does not understand it, pass that by and glorify God.” Page 295, Lutheran Worship Concordia Publishing House Those participating in the Daily Lectionary are encouraged to be part of Bethany’s Small Group ministry. An emphasis of these small groups will not only be to discuss the Scripture that we have read, but also to devote ourselves to good works together. Chris- tians sometimes forget that our “devotional lives,” according to Paul, should not only include studying God’s Word (an absolute necessity), but also good works that are just as important. These good works in small groups could be anything that is profitable for others such as: making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, host- ing a meal for Family Promise, volunteering at a charity 5K race, giving rides to health care appointments, or picking up trash in God’s creation.
  • Psalms Psalm

    Psalms Psalm

    Cultivate - PSALMS PSALM 126: We now come to the seventh of the "Songs of Ascent," a lovely group of Psalms that God's people would sing and pray together as they journeyed up to Jerusalem. Here in this Psalm they are praying for the day when the Lord would "restore the fortunes" of God's people (vs.1,4). 126 is a prayer for spiritual revival and reawakening. The first half is all happiness and joy, remembering how God answered this prayer once. But now that's just a memory... like a dream. They need to be renewed again. So they call out to God once more: transform, restore, deliver us again. Don't you think this is a prayer that God's people could stand to sing and pray today? Pray it this week. We'll pray it together on Sunday. God is here inviting such prayer; he's even putting the very words in our mouths. PSALM 127: This is now the eighth of the "Songs of Ascent," which God's people would sing on their procession up to the temple. We've seen that Zion / Jerusalem / The House of the Lord are all common themes in these Psalms. But the "house" that Psalm 127 refers to (in v.1) is that of a dwelling for a family. 127 speaks plainly and clearly to our anxiety-ridden thirst for success. How can anything be strong or successful or sufficient or secure... if it does not come from the Lord? Without the blessing of the Lord, our lives will come to nothing.