Haggai & Zechariah

Zechariah: Previews of the Messiah

Details: Created on Saturday, 04 February 2012 11:53

There are several Messianic passages in the book of Zechariah: - A description of Joshua and Zerubbabel suddenly changes to the prediction of a greater individual known as the "Servant" and "Branch."

The coming Messiah "comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey -- on a colt" (Zechariah 9:9). He also comes to "make peace among the nations" (9:10).
Finally, there is a description of the good shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for the sheep.

What do all of these passages suggest about the character of the coming Messiah?

Zechariah 1 - 3: The Apple of God's Eye

Details: Created on Friday, 27 January 2012 11:53

"Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye" (2:8) is the tender language that is used to describe God's great love for his people. Zechariah chapter 3 goes on to describe an Accuser who claims that we are worthless and not the apple of God's eye. In this study we considered the role of Satan as accuser and God as the One who is for us.

Zechariah 7 - 8: God's Justice

Details: Created on Friday, 13 January 2012 11:53

In the book of Zechariah, God explained why the Babylonian captivity occured. The problem was injustice. These chapters contrast injustice with what God's justice, "real justice" (Zech. 7:9) looks like in the world. This is one of the most importance passages in scripture to understand the subject of God's justice. Perhaps to our surprise, God's justice does not have to do with retributive punishment but rather with making peace, protecting the abused, and showing kindness to others.

Haggai: What is God's Glory?

Details: Created on Sunday, 08 January 2012 11:53

God's glory is typically associated with things like power, brightness, and majesty. The book of Haggai, however, suggests that there is much more to God's glory than his right arm of power. What we understand God's glory to be should have a direct effect on how we perceive the world around us today.

What is God's Justice?

Details: Created on Wednesday, 25 February 2009 11:53

The book of Zechariah contains one of the most beautiful verses on the subject of God's justice: "Administer real justice, be compassionate and kind to each other." (Zechariah 7:9). Our contemporary understanding of justice, by contrast, is primarily described in legal terms and with an appropriate punishment that fits the crime. When we hear George Bush say, “We will bring the terrorists to justice”, his meaning is clear to everyone – that they will be punished appropriately. But, is our current understanding of justice, which we derive primarily from our legal system, the same as God’s justice – as described in the Bible?

Haggai & Zechariah, October 2008

Details: Created on Sunday, 04 January 2009 11:53

Video recording of the October 27, 2008 Bible study for the Loma Linda University School of Allied and Public Health

Zechariah Audio, 2008

Details: Created on Thursday, 18 September 2008 11:53

This book records a series of fascinating visions that were given to the prophet Zechariah. There are insightful revelations about the coming Messiah who would come "humbly, riding on a colt." This is also the book that describes the 2 shepherds and that alludes to the 30 coins that were paid for Jesus.

We spent most of this Bible study discussing the vision of the 2 olive trees and the lampstand. What is the meaning in that time and what is the meaning for us today? What is the real function of the Holy Spirit and what does it mean to be "filled with the Spirit"?

Haggai Audio, 2008

Details: Created on Tuesday, 09 September 2008 11:53

This was the first Bible study of the school year! The entire lecture was from the book of Haggai - a book which encouraged the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after they returned from captivity. It's only 2 chapters long, but it contains this spectacular passage, which provided an opportunity to explain the singular focus and direction of this Bible study:

“My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid. For this is what the Lord Almighty says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth. I will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord Almighty. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord Almighty. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken!” (Haggai 2:5-9 – GN)

Haggai & Zechariah Audio, 2007

Details: Created on Friday, 02 May 2008 11:53

These 2 prophets encouraged the people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. The prophet Haggai said that this latter Temple would exceed Solomon's Temple in glory. In what sense was this true? These books also invite our understanding of the Holy Spirit. What is the function of the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?