Day 245-254 - 21-48______

Ezekiel lived among the exiles in . Ezekiel’s message is mostly aimed at the sins they had committed, but like all the , he also provided his people, now without a land of their own, some hope for the future. The latter section of Ezekiel’s prophecy looks forward to the people’s worship after Christ’s return in the end times, when He will rule and the nations from His throne in .

Ezekiel’s theme is that God didn’t exile the Israelites primarily to punish them. God never has been interested in punishment for punishment’s sake. He intended the punishment/judgment in Ezekiel’s day as a means to an end—to bring His people to a state of repentance and humility before the one true God. They had lived for so long in sin and rebellion, confident in their own strength that they needed God to remind them of His holy nature and their humble identity in a most dramatic way. After centuries of warnings, prophetic messages, and invasions, God decided that more significant action was required—He had to remove the people from their promised land.

Day 245 - Ez. 21-22 - God asks Ezekiel to publicly mourn the sins of the people and even go out with a real sword to ​ show the people what God is doing. There is not even one righteous man to spare and so God promises judgment for all of them.

Tara-Leigh says this about God’s judgment:

“God’s wrath toward sin is marked out so clearly here. Most of us probably hate some sins but are fond of others or ​ have a love-hate relationship with them—we enjoy them in the moment but feel guilty later. But God doesn’t know this kind of ambivalence toward sin. He hates it, full stop. While sin can affect the intimacy of our relationship with God, it doesn’t affect the status of our relationship with God.”

➢ What does this tell us about the character of God and the gift of salvation?

Day 246 - Ez. 23-24 - Ezekiel’s wife died during his ministry, God told Ezekiel not to mourn her in public. This seems ​ like an odd thing for God to ask of Ezekiel, but as always God has a plan.

Tara-Leigh says this about God’s odd request of Ezekiel regarding mourning his wife:

“The ancient Jews had very detailed, prolonged ways to mourn the dead, but God says to disregard the traditions. This catches the attention of the exiles, which opens up the conversation in which Ezekiel lets them know about the tragedy in Jerusalem. He says to respond in the same way, because ultimately, they don’t have a right to grieve since this is the result of their sins. God, in His great love and provision, gave Judah a who understood her pain. Ezekiel lost his wife right before the people of Judah lost everything. He knew there was a greater purpose in this loss. ”

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➢ Have you ever experienced a loss (of a job, opportunity, relationship etc) in which you knew that God was at work and had a greater purpose?

Day 249 - Ez. 31-33 - We see in these chapters that God hates sin, but more than that he hates what sin does to the ​ hearts of His people. God is after more than just their obedience, he is after their hearts and He will go to great lengths to draw them towards repentance. His judgment of sin is necessarily but it is not something that He delights in.

In :11, God says “ I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way ​ ​ ​ ​ and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? “ ​ Tara-Leigh talks about … “True repentance is a sign of a new heart. And no matter how righteous they’ve been—even though we know they haven’t been righteous, despite what they think—their actions won’t save them. People who think of themselves as good people still sin. God is clear here that their actions aren’t saving them. He isn’t putting good deeds and bad deeds on a scale and weighing them—that idea is nowhere in Scripture.”

➢ What do we learn from these chapters about God’s view of sin and repentance?

Day 251 - Ez 37-39 - presents a striking picture of the resurrection and restoration of God’s people. This is ​ the passage where Ezekiel sees a land of dry bones and God commands these bones to come to life. The vision represents God giving new life to the twelve tribes (Judah/Israel) and bringing them back to their land.

Ezekiel 39:28 says “Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ and then assembled them into their own land. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations anymore.”

➢ Put yourself in Ezekiel’s shoes. What do you think he was thinking and feeling as the dry bones came to life?

Days 252-254 - Ez.. 40-48 - offers a detailed picture of the future reconstructed temple in Jerusalem, complete with ​ the return of God’s glory to His dwelling place.

Tara-Leigh says it’s like God is showing up to say “I know you’ve lost everything. I know the First Temple was ​ …​ destroyed—the one Solomon built about 350 years ago. I know we’re all living here in the land of our enemies, but I want you to remember that I’ve got a detailed plan for restoration. You’re not forgotten, and I’m with you!”

These detailed prophecies about the future temple can be interpreted to be both literal or symbolic, but no matter which view you hold, Tara-Leigh points out that “Prophetic texts are hard to find clarity in sometimes—so we don’t ​ ​ … ​ scream where Scripture whispers, and we don’t whisper where Scripture screams.”

➢ What stood out to you in these last chapters of Ezekiel during the Temple Visions?

The reminds us to seek out the Lord in those dark times when we feel lost or abandoned, to truly examine our own lives, and seek to align ourselves with the one true God.

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Day 255 - Joel______​

Joel is a small book written by a little known prophet. Joel’s familiarity with this area and the worship in the temple ​ suggests that he lived in Judah, possibly even in the city of Jerusalem itself. Joel’s book gives some of the most striking and specific details in all of Scripture about the day of the Lord—which makes clear the seriousness of God’s judgment on sin. But in contrast this book also offers a beautiful dose of hope.

These verses in Chapter 2 hold some of the greatest promises of hope in the .

Joel 2:12-14 - “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with ​ mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?

Joel 2:25-26 - I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, ​ my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Tara-Leigh says this about Joel and his knowledge of God’s word: ​ “In just three chapters, Joel references seven other prophets and the book of Exodus. Joel knows Scripture! While it helps him grasp Israel’s current situation, it also helps him keep perspective for the future. God wants us to read His Word because He wants to be known but also because He cares about how hopeful we are. The more we know God and His Word, the more hopeful we’ll be—not full of hope in our desired outcome, but hope in Him.”

➢ Do you find this to be true for you as you continue to read through scripture? Does it give you a better understanding of God and His character?

➢ Give examples of things you know now after over 200 days in His Word that you didn’t know before?

Day 256-259 - Daniel______

On Days 256 & 257 in -6, we get introduced to Daniel who was a Jewish exile from Israel that was sent to ​ ​ ​ Babylon. Babylonian officials felt young Israelites like Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego would be of great use to them. Once Daniel arrived, the leadership in Babylon renamed him Belteshazzar in an effort to more closely identify him with his new home. Daniel’s service to the king gave him privileged access to the highest levels of society. His faithful service to the Lord in a land and culture that were not his own makes him a unique voice in Scripture. The young Daniel found himself in the midst of a strongly pagan culture, where there were ample opportunities to fall into idolatry. Yet, he stood firm in his faith among the Babylonian people on several significant matters—including dietary regulations and worship practices.

Daniel was sent to interpret the King’s Dream and in 2: 20-22, Daniel said: ​ ​ “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep & hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, & the light dwells with him.”

In 2:44 - Daniel declared, “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be ​ ​ destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”

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Tara-Leigh says this about Daniel 1-3: ​ ​ ​ “In Daniel’s prayer of praise, after God gives him the dream and the interpretation, he lists things God is sovereign over: wisdom, strength, timing, authorities, knowledge, understanding, giftings, revelation, and sight.”

We see in Daniel 4:36-37 that King Nebuchadnezzar returns to the Lord after seeing Daniel’s faith on display: ​ ​ “At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned ​ to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right ​ ​ and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

There is a theme of sovereignty that runs through the , including Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den, his friends’ rescue from the fiery furnace, and the future arrival of the Ancient of Days to save His people from the forces of evil.

Tara-Leigh talks about how God’s sovereignty is on display in Daniel’s life: ​

“God granted Daniel faithfulness and integrity that turned the hearts of kings and nations not just once, but twice. But even with all his great victories and qualities, he’s still not the hero of the story. Daniel doesn’t understand the visions on his own. Daniel doesn’t close the lions’ mouths. Daniel doesn’t fulfill the prophecy against wicked King Belshazzar. YHWH is the active agent. YHWH is the hero of every story.”

➢ Is this idea of God being the hero of the story rather than Daniel a shift from maybe a perspective you have had of Daniel in the past?

On Days 258 & 259 in Daniel 7-12, the book takes a shift into Daniel’s visions of the future. During this time, we see ​ Daniel grieved and beg for God to show mercy. God sends the angel Gabriel to show Daniel hope for restoration in the future.

The book of Daniel paints a portrait of how to serve God faithfully in the middle of a world that is broken and how to persevere in hope even when it seems there are no immediate solutions to the brokenness we see around us.

➢ What did you learn from Daniel’s life?

➢ What did you learn about God in the book of Daniel?

Day 260-261 - Ezra 1-6, Psalm 137______The book of Ezra covers almost a century and we don’t meet Ezra in chapters 1-6. This book opens with the pagan king Cyrus of Persia who has just overtaken Babylon telling the Israelites to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It’s important to note that King Cyrus doesn’t worship the Lord, yet it says God stirs up his spirit to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The book of Ezra records two separate time periods that follow the seventy years of Babylonian captivity. Ezra 1–6 covers a span of approximately 20 years in which the first wave of Jews return from captivity and spans through the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

The book of Ezra provides a much-needed link in the historical record of the Israelite people. Through his narrative, Ezra points out that they were still God’s people and that God had not forgotten them.

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In these first 6 chapters, we witness the rebuilding of the new temple, the unification of the returning tribes as they shared common struggles and were challenged to work together.

Tara-Leigh reminds us that no matter the drama surrounding the rebuilding of the temple, God’s goodness is still on ​ display. “Offerings are being made on the altar, the priests are being reestablished, the foundation is being built up, and regardless of what this temple was or will be, we’re seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people. He’s been working even in the hearts of His enemies to bless His people. He’s bringing them back to the land.”

➢ Can you name a time when you could see God’s goodness on display even in the midst of drama and disagreements?

Ezra’s narrative reveals two main issues faced by the returning exiles: the struggle to restore the temple (Ezra 1-6) and the need for spiritual reformation (addressed in Ezra 7-10 - Day 268) Both were necessary in order for the people to renew their fellowship with the Lord.

A few of their local enemies try to stop the plan by offering false help, but Zerubbabel and Jeshua, current leaders of the returned exiles send them packing because Cyrus said the Israelites who returned from exile should rebuild it. The enemies’ next plan is to bribe officials and lie; it works for a while—the construction project is put on hold for roughly fifteen years. They argue over whether Cyrus actually sent them to rebuild the temple.

Tara-Leigh “Darius writes the governor back and says, “Back off. Let them rebuild. The only time you need to bother ​… ​ them is to write them a check, because you’re footing the bill for it. Give them whatever supplies they need and whatever they need for sacrifices and offerings every day. Do whatever they need so that they can continue to seek God and pray for me and my family. P.S. No one can change this command, or he’ll get the death penalty and I’ll turn his house into a landfill. And may God overthrow anyone who tries to overthrow the Jews or destroy their temple.” Wow!”

God moved the hearts of secular rulers (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes) to allow, even encourage and help, the Jewish people to return home. He used these unlikely allies to fulfill His promises of restoration for His chosen people.

➢ Have you encountered unlikely sources of blessing? Have you wondered how God can really work all things together for the good of those who are called by His name?

Psalm 137 is a lament of the Israelites while in exile as they seek to turn back to the Lord. ​

Tara-Leigh says “They ask God to punish their enemies and bring justice. It ends with a shocking expression of anger and ​ ​ grief, reminding us again that God can handle our worst emotions.”

➢ Did anything stand out to you in Psalm 137?

Day 262 - Haggai______The prophet Haggai gave his message to the people of Jerusalem approximately eighteen years after their return from exile in Babylon. At this point, he was likely an older man looking back on the glories of his nation, with a passionate desire to see his people rise up from exile and reclaim their rightful place as God’s light to the world.

Haggai 1:4-5 says ”Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, …​ ​ ​ ​ therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”

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Tara-Leigh sums it up this way: ​ “Haggai has a conversation with Jeshua and Zerubbabel, the local ruler over Judah, confronting them both about the people’s misplaced priorities. Haggai says, “No matter what you do to your own homes and lifestyles, it’ll never be enough. You’ll always want more. But do you know what would be a wise use of your time and a righteous use of your energy? Rebuilding God’s house.”

Haggai is blaming their struggles on their failure to rebuild the temple, the Jews were receptive to his message of rebuilding the Lord’s house. These messages encouraged the people of Judah to finish building the temple and to have hope in God for the promise of blessings in the future.

➢ What do we learn from Haggai’s passionate sermons in this book about priorities?

Day 263-265 - Zechariah______Zechariah is a priest and prophet that speaks to the returned exiles. God wants to use him to speak to the current generation about how their ancestors’ sins impacted things, and using him to warn them against following in their footsteps.

Zechariah’s visions and messages in chapters 1–8 all take place in the same general time period as Haggai’s prophecies. They begin with a call for the people of Judah to repent.

Of the minor prophets, the book of Zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of passages about Jesus.

On Day 264 (Zech. 5-9) Tara-Leigh says: ​

“Jesus shows up repeatedly in today’s reading. “Behold your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (9:9). We recognize the donkey part, because Jesus rode through Jerusalem on a donkey in Matthew 21, but even without the donkey, He’s unmistakable. He speaks peace to the nations in verse 10. He rules to the end of the earth. Through the blood of His covenant, in verse 11, He sets prisoners free. He restores double to prisoners of hope in verse 12. He saves His people, and they shine like jewels in His crown in verse 16. And verse 17 says, “How great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!”

This book is full of God remembering His promises to His people, even after all the time they spent outside the land. Zechariah used a simple structure of eight visions (chapters 1–6), four messages (7-8), and two oracles (9-14) to anticipate the completion of the temple and, ultimately, the future reign of Jesus.

On Day 265, Tara-Leigh points this out: ​

“Zechariah becomes the shepherd of the flock destined for slaughter. This prophecy points us to Jesus repeatedly. Thirty pieces of silver is the price Judas Iscariot is paid for betraying Jesus to the authorities. Zechariah gives his to the temple potters, and when Judas regrets betraying Jesus, he throws the silver into the temple, and it’s used to buy his burial plot in a potter’s field. And of course, Jesus is the “lamb destined for slaughter”; this was the Father’s plan before the world was even formed. Zechariah 11 is dark, but it points us to Jesus the Good Shepherd, who was first rejected by His sheep, then took the place of those sheep in the slaughter. He’s the shepherd and the sacrifice—because when it comes to His kids, God provides all He requires.”

➢ Did you get a glimpse of future hope in this book? What stood out to you in this book?

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Day 266-267 - Esther______Esther is the only book in the that doesn’t mention God. Despite that His hand is definitely at work in the lives of the people in this book and it is evident that He is behind the scenes working out His plan. The events in the book of ​ Esther occurred during the time that the first remnant of Jews had returned to Judah and were struggling to reestablish temple worship. But Esther and Mordecai, along with many other Jews, had chosen not to make the trek back to Judah. They stayed in Susa, the capital city of Persia, and this is where this story takes place. Esther becomes uniquely positioned in the palace to influence the king to help her people.

On Day 266, in Esther 4:14-16, Mordecai says to Esther - “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will ​ ​ rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be ​ ​ ​ ​ found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Tara-Leigh says: ​ “Mordecai knows God has promised to preserve His people, and he trusts that God will be faithful to His Word. He lets Esther know that she may be the very tool God uses to accomplish His plans and fulfill His promises. Despite being in mourning, despite being under a death threat, Mordecai leans into what he knows to be true about YHWH.”

These passages show us the strength of Mordecai and Esther’s faith in the face of adversity. It’s hard to lean into what we know about God when trials surround us.

➢ Can you think of an example of when you leaned into God in a difficult time and He used your obedience for His glory?

On Day 267, Haman wanted Mordecai to die and plots a way for it to happen. Tara-Leigh comments on the irony of ​ ​ ​ ​ how Haman dies: “The death Haman planned for Mordecai is doled out to him instead. God is hands-on despite His apparent absence. He’s at work flipping the plans of the wicked to fall back on them. He’s at work flipping things for the righteous too—to bless them! He’s at work fulfilling His promises despite an irreversible edict from the king. Esther isn’t the hero here, and Mordecai isn’t the hero—YHWH is obviously orchestrating every detail of this story to be the Rescuer of His people. Time will reveal how God is rescuing you in your current situation. He may appear to be absent, but He is always at work, fulfilling His promises for our good and His glory. He can be trusted.”

➢ How do you see God working in your life right now in a way that is for your good and for His glory?

The message of Esther is clear: God is sovereign even when life doesn’t make sense.

➢ When life doesn’t make sense, do you tend to turn to God or away from Him?

Day 268 - Ezra 7-10______

On this day we go back to pick up the story of Ezra. This section takes place more than 60 years after Ezra 1-6 (from Day 260-261) This is when Ezra led the second group of exiles back to Israel to rebuild.

Ezra 7:10 sums up where his heart was...“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

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After the original remnant had stopped work on the city walls and spiritual commitment was again lacking, Ezra arrived with another two thousand people and sparked a spiritual revival. By the end of the book, Israel had renewed its covenant with God and had begun acting in obedience to Him.

Ezra 9 contains one of the great intercessory prayers of the Bible. Ezra’s leadership proved crucial to the Jews’ spiritual advancement.

Ezra 9:6-9 - “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than ​ ​ our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great ​ ​ guilt. And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today. But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by ​ ​ the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery. For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has ​ ​ extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

Ezra’s account proclaims that God kept His word, and it shows that when God’s people remained faithful to Him, He would continue to bless them.

➢ What did we learn from Ezra about leadership?

Day 269-272 - Nehemiah, Psalm 126______The book of Nehemiah could be read as a sequel to the book of Ezra, and some scholars believe the two were originally one work. We meet Nehemiah as an adult serving in the Persian royal court as the personal cupbearer to King Artaxerxes This prestigious position reveals something of Nehemiah’s upright character. He remained in Persia after the exiles had been allowed to go home, but he was highly interested in the state of affairs back in Judah. The exiles have been back for some time and yet they still haven’t rebuilt the walls. He’s upset and wants to do something about it.

Nehemiah eventually traveled back to Israel, leading the third wave of returned exiles following their seventy years of exile in Babylon. Nehemiah was a layman, not a priest like Ezra nor a prophet like Malachi. Nehemiah’s expertise equipped him for the reconstruction necessary for the remnant to survive. Nehemiah led by example, giving up a respected position in a palace for hard labor of rebuilding. He partnered with Ezra, to solidify the political and spiritual foundations of the people. Nehemiah’s humility before God provided an example for the people. He did not claim glory for himself but always gave God the credit for his successes.

See his prayer of humility in 1:5-6 ​

“And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those ​ who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your ​ ​ servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned.”

Nehemiah recorded the reconstruction of the wall of Jerusalem. Together, he and Ezra, who led the spiritual revival of the people, directed the political and religious restoration after the exile. Nehemiah’s life provides a fine study on leadership. He overcame opposition from outsiders as well as internal turmoil. As governor, Nehemiah negotiated peace among the Jews.

On Day 270, Tara-Leigh says this about Nehemiah: ​

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“Since he got his start as an assistant, he’s used to taking orders and following authority, which helps him stay humble. And when he gets promoted, he doesn’t grow arrogant and show it off or pull out any false humility. True humility is confident humility—the confidence comes from looking to God as our source, and the humility comes from seeing ourselves in light of who God is. Confident humility is when you’re not building yourself up or beating yourself up. Nehemiah walks in confident humility not because he’s awesome, but because he knows the source of his strength lies in the God who calls him and equips him.”

6:15-16 again shows this confident humility rooted in the Lord on display as he talks of finishing the wall: ​

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies ​ ​ ​ heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” ​

➢ Do you walk with confident humility because of your identity in Christ?

The book of Nehemiah shows us the kind of significant impact one individual can have on a nation. Nehemiah served in secular offices, using his position to bring back to the Jews order, stability, and proper focus on God. God uses all manner of people in all manner of places doing all manner of work. He is not limited by your vocation. In fact, God has placed you where you are for a purpose.

➢ Do you ever feel like God can use you to accomplish His purposes or that you must be “in ministry” in order to serve God?

➢ Does reading Nehemiah’s story change your mind about who God can use?

On Day 272, we read Psalm 126, a praise for restoration, Tara-Leigh says: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

“Their mouths are filled with shouts of joy— But even the psalm acknowledges there are things yet to be restored. In all of today’s reading, we see that restoration hasn’t transformed them; they’re still the same people—they’ve just moved a few times. No matter where they go, they take their same stone hearts with them. They need the new hearts of flesh God promised them.”

Can you relate to the stubbornness of the Israelites and their “stone hearts”?

Day 273 - Malachi 1-4______The final book of the Old Testament, Malachi received its name from its author and his name means “messenger” which points to Malachi’s role as a prophet of the Lord, delivering God’s message to God’s people. Malachi takes place over a thousand years after , so the Israelites had the advantage of history on their side; they could see the rewards of faithfulness and the pain associated with judgment. But even with all that perspective, the book of Malachi shows us that they still strayed from the Lord. They needed God’s intervention more than ever, so this book, as a final judgment in the Old Testament, anticipates God’s saving work through Jesus Christ.

Malachi 3:1 tells of what is to come “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord … ​ whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” ​ ​

By the time of Malachi, they had been back in the land for more than a hundred years and were looking for the blessings they expected to receive when they returned. Malachi came along at a time when the people were struggling 9 to believe that God still loved them. God told the people where they had fallen short of their covenant with Him. If they hoped to see changes, they needed to take responsibility for their own actions and serve God faithfully according to the promise their fathers had made to God on Mount Sinai all those years before.

Throughout Israel’s history, the nation failed to be obedient and God called His people back to Himself. Each time, Israel would fail again, prompting the cycle to begin again. God’s final word of the Old Testament concerns judgment for sin and testifies to our inability to love Him without the help of His grace. We see the Israelites struggle to follow God consistently throughout the Old Testament.

➢ Do you struggle to follow God consistently?

➢ What did you learn about God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace throughout the Old Testament?

Additional Resources available at www.graceclarksville.com/womenintheword

Books: ➢ 30 Days to Understanding Your Bible by Max Anders ​ Videos:

➢ Ezekiel Part 2 Overview Video ➢ Joel Overview Video ➢ Daniel Overview Video ➢ Ezra/Nehemiah Overview Video ➢ Haggai Overview Video ➢ Zechariah Overview Video ➢ Esther Overview Video ➢ Malachi Overview Video ➢ Entire Old Testament Overview

Websites for further studies:

➢ https://bibleproject.com/ - Great overview videos by theme, book of the Bible and topic ​ ➢ https://www.blueletterbible.org/ - Choose a version of the Bible and click TOOLS next to the ​ verse

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