Bible Reading Reflection from Zechariah 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟛

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of hosts.’"

The first message of Jesus, the Son of God was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet ever lived was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" The first message of Zechariah is also a call to repentance, "Return to Yahweh!"

The thousand years of the history of Israel is a call to repentance. Because humans, even the best of man, the saints of Yahweh, the redeemed of God are sinners. There's always a call to repentance.

We have already repented. Done never to do again. Once and for all in terms of Justification (Salvation) but in our Christian living, we have to live a life of repentance always, which we call Sanctification. Battling sins. Turning away from known sins. Getting up when fallen.

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟙𝟙

"Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you."

God's grace is for all nations. God's Kingdom is for all people of the earth. People just need to be like Abraham: to believe in the promise of God.

Notice the tense in this verse and passage. It's future tense. It wasn't fulfilled at the time of this prophecy. It has never been fulfilled till today. There's no way it will be fulfilled in this present scenario. But it will come!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟛-𝟜

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Again he said to him, ‘See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.’”

This is the picture of God's cleansing: God's forgiving and accepting of sinners. Joshua wasn't told to remove his filthy garment. He can't. He didn't have the ability or capacity. He didn't even have the will, I would dare say so. And he wasn't told to put on the clean garment. He can't, wouldn't, and didn't have the ability and capacity.

Because this is a picture of justification before God. Specifically, the cleansing of the Israelites before God. Removing and Clothing was done by God. That's why we say, salvation is of God.

C. S. Lewis portrays for us a good analogy in his novel and movie "Chronicle of Narnia" when Edmund was turned into a golden Dragon for going astray. Aslan breathed upon him, burning his skin yet giving him life again. It was painful when his skin was burnt up! Similarly, Repentance, which is turning to God, is not an easy road. Painful but worth every bit of it.

BTW, once we are saved (justified) we are told to put on because we are made able now. Ephesians 4. That's why we are commanded to after God has made us alive, able, and active!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟜:𝟜-𝟝, 𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

“Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’”

Last time I mentioned that Jesus has a way of answering a question with a question. You see, the angel also answered him with a question each time Zechariah asked, in this chapter! Zechariah should have replied in question too, right? 😂 Something like this: "Do you suppose me to know them, my lord?"😂

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟝:𝟛

"Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.’"

When nobody is serious, even a diligent man gets discouraged and gives up. But God is not a man. He is not giving up His standard. If everyone sins, He will damn everyone. There's no escape from Him.

Notice the flying scroll for everyone to see. The curse, judgment is sure. Notice the word "everyone" "will be purged," there's no escape! And when wicked people are purged, symbolized by the women being taken away, blessed will be the land!

Don't we recall the pleasure and satisfaction and joy when we overcome sin and temptation; when sin is purged in our life?

A day will come when every sin and wickedness will be taken away from us, individually and from the land! What a glorious day that will be!

 

ℤ𝔼ℂℍ𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟞:𝟙𝟛

"Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."

Prophesying about the Coming reign of Jesus Christ. He is both the Priest and King! That day has not been realized yet. That day will come.

This prophecy is interesting. It's given in the context of judgment. Because in the end evil shall not be the last chapter, even it be, it's about its destruction. Righteousness must triumph in the end.

The leaders of Israelites, both the kings and priests had led the people astray. And the people themselves had been equally disobeying God. They needed a judgment. But if they all would be killed, where would be the power of God? It would look like a triumph to the devil.

God always has a remnant like Lot in Sodom, Daniel in a pagan land, and Joseph in Potiphar's home. And Messiah will rule over them. Wicked people will be purged. The righteous will multiply, dominate the earth, and reign with Christ!

Bible Reading Reflection from Haggai 1-2

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟙:𝟚-𝟝

" . . .This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt." Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" ". . .Consider your ways!"

The book of Nehemiah and Ezra gives us the background of Haggai's message. Many preachers in Manipur misapplied the message of Haggai to construct their church buildings. And they'd even use strong words like Haggai, but they failed to understand the context.

In today's post, let's see the situation of the people more accurately, contrary to many preachers who pictured them as worthless materialistic people.

Nehemiah 11 reveals that it took a great sacrifice and commitment to return to Jerusalem. They had a comfortable life, home, family in exile; who would want to go back to the old city of Jerusalem which was in ruin? Those dwellers of Jerusalem were highly determined people. Nehemiah lived later than Haggai, so by the time of Haggai, the situation could be more difficult.

Ezra 4 reveals that there was great opposition against the rebuilding. They even hired lawyers and local politicians to stop the construction. So, obviously, people would think that perhaps it was not the right time to build. Look at our times, churches have been shut off for almost 2 years and people think it's not the right time to come to church because the government has imposed a lockdown.

And the enemies of Jews were ready to pounce upon them. God raised up Haggai to encourage them to rebuild in this situation. They did and the building was completed. We (Christians of our times) are far worse, more materialistic, less enthusiastic, and have misplaced our priorities more than the Jews of Haggai's time.

If we have the opposition and persecution of Haggai's time, only a few among 2.3 billion Christians will cling to Christianity. Even the coronavirus has revealed to us who loves the family of God and who doesn't belong!

 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟚:𝟠

"'The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts."

The Jews were poor, especially traveling a long journey from their homes in exile to this ruined city to rebuild. Even if they were rich in their homes, carrying luggage on donkeys' backs and walking under the sun for many days and nights wasn't easy.

Whatever they had, they had to contribute and restore the glory of the temple. And this verse came to them as an assurance, encouragement, and exhortation that God is the creator and possessor of all things.

William Carey said, "Expect Great Things From God and Attempt Great Things For God"

A story is also told about a church that was desperately needing a sum of money for some work. In an elder meeting, one elder got up and prayed, "Lord, You are rich. You owned all the cattle in the hills. Provide our needs!" The next day, their needs were met by a guy who sold his cattle! 😇😂

Indeed, God owns everything. Would we experience that every single day of our life! O Lord, I pray!

Bible Reading Reflection from Zephaniah 1-3

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟟

"Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests."

It's most appropriate to be silent before the mighty God. Everyone will be silent in awe of God's judgment.

Even in our experience, when we are very afraid, we lost even our sound (voice). I remember when I was a child there were many times, I was afraid of ghosts. And I didn't dare even to shout out for help.

 

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟛

"Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."

What a terrible judgment is laid out in chapter 2! But in it, God puts a ray of hope, a light on, for salvation.

Our God is indeed a Saviour. The meaning of our Lord "Jesus" is God saves. God always sends out good news even with a most devastating message. In fact, the good news is good because all other news is bad.

That's one of the reasons why we talk about bad news (that man is a sinner and shall die in his sin) before we give the good news of salvation (that Jesus came to save us).

 

ℤ𝔼ℙℍ𝔸ℕ𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟙𝟛

"The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down With no one to make them tremble."

The remnants are the saved ones. They are righteous and godly. They will have a life of peace.

Zephaniah was talking about physical salvation (from invaders and enemies), but that's the picture of real salvation too.

Righteousness, Godliness, and Peaceful Life are the indicators of saved ones! Yes, theoretically (position before God) and practically (every day of our real life). Let's claim them!

Bible Reading Reflection from Habakkuk 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ℍ𝔸𝔹𝔸𝕂𝕂𝕌𝕂 𝟙:𝟞

"For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs."

Wow! God was raising up evil and wicked people (Babylonians) to punish and kill His own people (Judah).

Habakkuk was totally upset by the social injustice and ungodly lifestyle of his people. One would pray for reformation or revival in such a situation, and so, Habakkuk asked God to do something. Well, God sometimes brings revival in a society like Nineveh in the times of Jonah, but now is a time of judgment for Judah.

Btw, that's the heresy of Charles Finney that if we pray hard and work hard, revival will come. No! It's God who brings revival in His time. Even prophets like Habakkuk, Jeremiah, and Isaiah couldn't bring revival because God was set to purge His people. In fact, God told some prophets to stop praying for the people.

May that be not our situation. Instead of judgment, may it be a time of revival in our generation! God is Awesome!

 

ℍ𝔸𝔹𝔸𝕂𝕂𝕌𝕂 𝟚:𝟚𝟘

"But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him."

Habbakuk found it difficult to accept what God said concerning Babylonians punishing Judah. Because they were worse or equally bad as Judah. And God revealed to him that He will overthrow the Babylonians too.

Thus, v20. God is not panicking. He is in control of everything. Let everyone be still before Him!

 

ℍ𝔸𝔹𝔸𝕂𝕂𝕌𝕂 𝟛:𝟚

"LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy."

Habakkuk was praying for revival. He doesn't want to see his people taken into captivity by the Babylonians!

He was praying for mercy! Oh! How we need to intercede for fellow Christians, and even for our society!

Bible Reading Reflection from Nahum 1-3

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄 𝟙:𝟟

"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."

I have taught through the book of Nahum a few years ago in Derabassi, Punjab. I am pretty confident to answer any potential question from this book! So, fire on. However, I don't like to type an answer for questions that will not make us godlier!

I would contend that this verse, 1:7 is one of the key themes of Nahum, yes even of the message of the prophetical writings, yes even of the whole Bible.

Yahweh is good, no matter what we think of Him in any situation. Trouble will be always present in this world, in our life. But Yahweh is a stronghold, a shelter, a refuge (not a weak-hold btw 😎).

Yahweh knows who are His, those who worship Him, those who seek Him. The goodness of Yahweh is for those who are His. The wrath of Yahweh is upon those who rebel against Him. Trouble will always be here with us that's why we rely on God all the more!

 

ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄 𝟚:𝟚

"For the LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob Like the splendor of Israel, Even though devastators have devastated them And destroyed their vine branches."

God allows misfortune in a believer's life, but He brings restoration as well! If we've lost anything for the cause of Christ, or for the cause of righteous living, let's remember, God is for us to reward more than we have ever imagined!

For example, Eric Liddell didn't run the Olympic 100 m race because it was scheduled on Sunday. He has been practicing for that race every day for 4 years. He refused to participate because it was Sunday. Now, imagine, representing himself for his country. What would his countrymen say of him, refusing to run? Well, he ran another race, a 400 m race on the next day, and won the race for which he didn't prepare.

Faithful people are amazing, but God's more amazing!

 

ℕ𝔸ℍ𝕌𝕄 𝟛:𝟙𝟡

"There is no relief for your breakdown, Your wound is incurable. All who hear about you Will clap their hands over you, For on whom has not your evil passed continually?"

It's natural to rejoice when wicked people are dethroned, dismissed, expelled, or suspended!

The Assyrians (Ninevites) were so cruel (bloody people v1) and they had assaulted every known nation around them. When the nations hear that the Babylonians are crushing them (Assyrians), there could be no news greater than that, they will clap their hands.

BTW, after that, God will crush the Babylonians also. God has the habit of raising wicked people to punish the wicked people.

There's even a proverb, right? "It takes a thief to catch a thief"😎

Bible Reading Reflection from Micah 1-7

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟙:𝟠

"Because of this I must lament and wail, I must go barefoot and naked; I must make a lament like the jackals And a mourning like the ostriches."

God is great! Man has greatly sinned. God's Judgment is great! Micah sees great suffering. His lamentation is deep!

Nowadays, people don't lament anymore. They don't even blame God anymore. They don't even curse God anymore. When they do such things, though blasphemous and sinful, at least, they acknowledge there's a God in heaven.

People ignore God these days. If they blame, it's upon the government or the environment! But the similarity is that people are not taking responsibility. God wants us to acknowledge our sins and His faithfulness to be saved!

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟚:𝟙-𝟚

"Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤.They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance."

Injustices around us. Those who are in power mistreated those who are weak. And the weak in turn curse the powerful. People want power not just to protect themselves from mistreatment, but that they too can afford to live like others.

I can't imagine how kings conquered others' lands in the past. We can't do that now. Even in the case of war, people give back the land they have conquered like Israel giving back the land to Egypt.

Maybe, centuries later, we may look back to our capitalism of today, the billionaires of today, and wonder how such things happened!

Big businesses are becoming greedier. Rich in money and popularity; unfortunately, not in compassion and charity.

Greed is a vice; Compassion is a virtue.

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟛:𝟠

“On the other hand I am filled with power-- With the Spirit of the LORD-- And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.”

Interesting verse indeed! Micah denounced all the prophets and rulers. He said they were all godless people. And in this verse, he was saying that he was not like the other prophets!

Imagine, if someone says, like this, in our time! A lot of people will label him "Proud" "Arrogant" "Boastful" etc.

Paul says, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." We must live like Paul, like Micah, like, Nehemiah, to be able to tell others, "Look at the things I do, I am different. Imitate me!"

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟜:𝟞-𝟟

""In that day," declares the LORD, "I will assemble the lame And gather the outcasts, Even those whom I have afflicted. I will make the lame a remnant And the outcasts a strong nation, And the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on and forever."

God's Promises even amid prophecy of punishment! Because He is in control of everything. He does everything not only righteously but is also for our own good!

In that day! O that day!  We shall see, understand, affirm, and rejoice perfectly!

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟝:𝟚

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

God has the habit of choosing unlikely people, stuff, and situations, to work wonders in life!

If we think, we are somebody, that is a sign that God will probably disagree with us.

I had some juniors who always asked for my help in my seminary days, and now they are pursuing their doctorate or pastoring a megachurch outside India. Well, I am still learning humility!

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟞:𝟠

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"

One of the most well-known verses from the book of Micah! Redeemed People of God should be living like God's people, rich in righteousness and godliness. Even here, Micah pointed out what had been missing among the Israelites:

1. To do justice

2. To love kindness

3. To walk humbly with God.

We often cry for justice when we are victims, and cry for kindness when we are offenders.

What about the other way round: showing kindness to our offenders, and doing justice to those whom we have offended. Definitely, we will find ourselves walking humbly with God when we do that!

 

𝕄𝕀ℂ𝔸ℍ 𝟟:𝟠

"Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me."

What a confession of hope! It's easy to be bitter in trouble, in failings, in adversity. To be discouraged, to be complaining, to be envious of others.

Well, this verse is an expression of hope and trust in God!

Sermon Tips from the text of 1 Peter 5:5-14

Sermon Tips for Expository Preachers, Listeners, and Students