About the Holy Spirit

How Did the Coming of the Holy Spirit Revolutionize the People of God?

One of the most well-known and frequently quoted verses regarding the Holy Spirit in Scripture would be Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And the following chapters in Acts provide us with the details about what happened in the early church after the coming of the Holy Spirit. Maybe because of my lack of understanding of the Bible, my impression about the works of the Spirit had been limited, for a long time, to the signs and wonders, speaking in tongues, healing diseases, casting out demons and so on. Based on that, I was fairly convinced that I was saved and even a good Christian because I got a gift of speaking in tongues.

However, these erroneous notions of my being a saved Christian and of the Holy Spirit were shattered three years ago when I encountered God, not on the way to Damascus, but in my room. After the encounter, I started to strongly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in my heart and witness what the Spirit is about. One of the first things I remember about the works of the Spirit was convicting me of my sin or my sinful nature, which neither I could realize by myself nor do anything about it to redeem myself. In John 16:7-8 Jesus says, “But if I go I will send him (the Helper) to you and when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” Of course I did repent of my sins on a regular basis, as best as I could remember before I received the Holy Spirit. However, the sin the Holy Spirit prompted me to repent of was way beyond my previous concept or acknowledgement of sin. The Spirit enlightened me to see my whole being or nature is in and of itself sin, not just a few apparent fruits of it. Upon this revelation, I realized, in the truest sense, that I was doomed for good. However, in a split second, I was told by the Spirit that there is someone who already took care of this unbearable weight of sin. Yes, it is Jesus!!!! In the matter of a second, I felt I was literally being transferred from total darkness to light. That was the most dramatic, literally life-and-death experience I have ever had! And the Spirit led me to profess that Jesus is my savior and my Lord, showing me the vision that I am also being crucified on the cross where Christ died.             

Another thing the Spirit did was revealing who God is. I was born in a Christian family and grew up in the church for all my life, but I had a very foggy idea of who God is. Especially when it comes to the triune God, I had no clear idea about what each person of God is and does. However, the Holy Spirit showed me who Father God, the son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and their distinct roles (?) among them with a vision. “Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:18).” That is exactly the work of the Holy Spirit. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will witness about me (John 15:26).” He also bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God so that I can boldly call out to him “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:6)

Also the Holy Spirit illuminates God’s word to me. John 14:26 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Before I have the Spirit in me, Scripture seemed like a strangely boring mystery book. Even with my best efforts, I barely understood the literal or superficial meanings of the letters. However, when the Spirit opened my spiritual eyes, I could see God’s relentless pursuit for the redemption of His people through Christ Jesus in every book in the Bible. Scripture has become no more a mysterious, irrelevant book to me, rather it is a love letter written by God my heavenly Father.

Although all these works of the Spirit are equally wonderful and awesome, if asked to single out the most amazing thing happened to my life by the coming of the Holy Spirit, I would say the change of my heart I witnessed. Despite my best intention and effort, I could not love God and follow His good and pleasing will before. Honestly speaking, I did not want to do that. If there was one reason for my trying to do so, probably that is because I was scared of Him. I did not love him at all. I simply couldn’t. However, what I experienced was actually prophesied over and over again in Scripture. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their heart. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer. 31:33).” “I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me (Jer. 32:40).” The Holy Spirit, as an executioner of the new covenant, writes God’s law on our hearts and puts the fear of God in the hearts. More importantly, he replaces our hard heart with a new heart. “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:19-20).”

With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our heart, we become a temple of God. “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you? (1Cor. 3:16).”  This is the ultimate fulfillment of the new covenant God made with us, the church.   

What happened to the early church, I think, were basically the same things I have described above. By the Holy Spirit poured out on them on the day of Pentecost, the apostles and other believers were emboldened to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ to the public. Many signs and wonders followed them. However, the most fundamental power of the Holy Spirit is, I think, leading people into repentance, hence salvation. “Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1Thes. 1:5).” It is also this very power of the Holy Spirit to work in the heart and mind of a believer, bearing fruit of the Spirit throughout his/her life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22).”

9th week

The book of Matthew

1. First Impression

1.1 Full of quotes from the Old Testament (2:6, 15, 18, 23; 4:15-16; 8:17 to name a few), this book was written to Jewish readers to offer solid evidence for the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus. The Jewish people of Matthew’s time were loved mathematical symbology and genealogies, which are richly applied to this book (1:1-17).

1.2 Although the book does not identify an author, the second century A.D. church tradition recognized Matthew, who is also named Levi, was its writer (Nelson’s pg. 300).  He, as a trained tax collector, was good at numbers and familiar with mathematical symbology which was employed to arrange the genealogy of Jesus and overall structure of the book.

1.3 The repeated theme of the book is definitely the kingdom of heaven over which Jesus reigns. In the book, Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of heaven had come with him and explained in different settings what this kingdom is about, mostly in parables.

1.4 Matthew would have been written it in the middle of the first century, probably only a few decades after the events of Jesus’ life and ministry, but before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Sourceview pg. 1235). He wrote this gospel with a focus on Jewish readership who were familiar with Torah and the prophets and longing for the promised Messiah to convince them that their long-awaited Messiah had come.

2. Theme Tracing

Reading through Matthew, I was fascinated to follow each step Jesus took in his life matching the events that the Israelites had gone through in the Old Testament. Jacob’s family members moving to Egypt for famine runs in parallel with Jesus’ sojourn to Egypt ; the Exodus, Jesus’ come-back; the Israelites’ being baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea (1Cor10:2), Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river; Israelites’ roaming around in the wilderness for 40 years, Jesus’ being in the wilderness for 40 days and so on. What did I see in this? I see God’s sovereign power running through the history of man. From the beginning up until now, he has been pursuing his redemptive plan for his people without fail. In this, I am once again convinced that my salvation is unshakable because this almighty God cannot fail what he started. As church, we have been already redeemed and are yet to be redeemed till the day of the Lord.

3. Application

Going through this book, especially the parables spoken by Jesus, I had to admit that I don’t understand the meaning of many of the stories. I am familiar with them because I have heard about them at the church, but really what does it mean? Jesus clearly said these parables are about the kingdom of God but many of the teachings or sermons I have heard interpreted the story on a very superficial level, thus leaving me with no specific idea about the kingdom. My application for this book starts with this realization of how I am ignorant and blinded about such an important matter like the kingdom of God. I will be a diligent student of God’s Word and then I will be able to share it with others.

The Book of Mark

1. First Impression

1.1 This book was written to non-Jewish readership, specifically believers in Rome. There are several pieces of evidence supporting this including the author’s interpretation of Aramaic words (3:17; 5:41; 7:34; 15:22) and his explanation on Jewish tradition (7:3-4). The author omitted a number of elements that are found in other gospels such as the genealogy of Jesus Christ, references for fulfilled prophecies and references to the Law which would have not been in interest of the gentile readers.

1.2 Mark’s gospel is technically anonymous like the other gospels. However, the clear testimony of the early church fathers is that this book was written by John Mark, the son of a Jerusalem widow whose home was a meeting place for early believers (Sourceview  pg. 1283).

1.3 The main ideas repeated in the book are the power and authority of Jesus as the son of God, healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching the kingdom of God. But at the same time, Jesus strictly warned people who experienced or witnessed the miracles not to tell other people, which are commonly referred to as “messianic secret.” The gospel of Mark gives us a vivid and face-paced account of Jesus, which culminates in the passion (14:1-15:47) and the resurrection of Jesus (ch. 16) (Nelson’s pg. 317).

1.4 This account was probably written during terrible persecution of Emperor Nero, close to the time of Peter’s execution, around the burning of Rome in July, AD 64 (Sourceview pg 1283). And the author wanted to encourage the believers in Rome who were facing the severe persecution with this gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 I get thrilled whenever I encounter the evidential verses in the New Testament to show God in the Old Testament was Jesus Christ, the messiah. One of them is found in 6:50 where Jesus said to the disciples “Take courage! ‘I AM’ is here.” The name ‘I AM’ is found in Exodus 3:14 where God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” So awesome! Jesus has been with us all along from the creation of the world to this very day! What does that mean? He never changes. He is eternal. Thus he is trustworthy. He is God.

2.2 One of the most fascinating things about the gospel that it is hidden. It is clearly said by Jesus, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parable for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (4:11).” However the sheep of Jesus can hear the voice of their shepherd. From the time of the Old Testament to the New Testament and today, it has been always the remnant who were chosen as His people before the creation of the world that hear the gospel of Jesus and turn to God. God, without a single mistake, has been saving and will save His people.

3. Application

3.1 When Sadducees came to Jesus and asked a question in an attempt to trick him, Jesus answered them, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God (12:24).” This problem of not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God is not just their problem, but mine as well. How many times I misread the Bible thus God because I am ignorant! It feels like the more I read or study the Bible, the more I realize my ignorance. How often I misunderstood the Word so I misrepresented God and the gospel to others? This thought just humbles me before God and people and makes me more rely on the Holy Spirit, the true teacher of God’s Word.

3.2 I have this desire to know the Scriptures in the way God intends it to be interpreted, and present them as the closest I can do. I am convinced that this desire was put in my heart by God thus he will make it happen in his way and in his time.

The book of Luke

1. First Impression

1.1 The book addressed Theophilus which means “lover of God.” It could be specifically a person who was a Gentile living in Rome or it could refer to the church there in general. Luke, the author of this book, wanted to give him or them an authentic account of the gospel as a strong foundation of faith in Jesus.

1.2 Scholars generally agree that Luke wrote both this gospel and the book of Acts that are in one book in the original version. Luke was a Gentile doctor and accompanied Paul in his first mission trip. It is not easy to find evidential verses supporting its authorship in the book. The author has been identified by the so called “we passages” in Acts, which suggest the author was personally present and a traveling companion of Paul.

1.3 The main theme of this book is Jesus, the savior of all people (“the universality of the Christian message (Nelson’s pg. 323)”) with special attention given to the minorities-the poor, the outcast, the women, and so on.

1.4 There could be many different accounts about who Jesus was, what he did, and what happened after the crucifixion and so on (1:1). Luke tried to collect the eyewitness reports circulating at the time and thoroughly investigated them to come up with an accurate and most comprehensive account of the gospel. And he did that for the sake of Gentile believers in Rome.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 What fascinated me in the book of Luke were these two statements about God-one was given by Gabriel and the other, Jesus. When Mary was in disbelief of what she just heard from the angel, he said “For nothing is impossible with God (1:37).” Jesus said the same when the disciples exclaimed that it seemed impossible for a person to be saved! He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” 2.2 I think this is the heart of God’s nature-almighty and all powerful. But at the same time it is the heart of what our salvation is about. Salvation is truly a God’s work, his work alone. There is no room for us to fill in or add to because it is impossible for man. God gave men the old covenant-the laws and regulations- to make us realize that reality. It is impossible for us to achieve the righteousness to qualify for heaven, hence a need for an intercessor, a ransom, a perfect priest, Jesus Christ.

3. Application

3.1It is really hard for me to grasp or fathom what the heaven is like, how things are run there and stuff. Based on some references in the Scriptures, I knew it would be quite different from the world we live in and it would be awesome somehow. About a year ago, I was on my way home from one of the church services, pondering over the subject of the sermon I had just listened to. It was about “serving” or “servant-hood.” And I realized “serving others” described in the bible runs exactly the opposite to my natural desire and being. I want to be served rather than serve others. I want to sit on the high place rather than step down to the lowly place. The reason I serve or humble myself is because I want to be lifted up and sit on the high place eventually. In other words, there is an ulterior motive in my serving. While l was struggling with these thought, I felt the Holy Spirit saying “serving is the ends in itself in the kingdom of God.” That means there are no rewards for serving others because serving in itself is the ultimate ends. That is how things are in His kingdom. I was shocked at the stark contrast between things on earth and things in heaven, so different that I could not say I fully grasped what that means. And I found this verse in Luke 12:37 “The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” Jesus is saying that he is going to put on an apron and serve us, his servants! I would say I still cannot understand it but I love it!        

    

8th week

The book of Ezra

1. After 70 years of exile, God fulfilled this promise to return his people to the Promised Land. The return was made in three stages. The first took place, led by Zerubbabel (c.538 BC) which resulted in the rebuilding of the temple (c. 520-516 BC), encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah. Ezra led the second return in the seventh year of 1 Artaxerxes (c. 458 BC), and Nehemiah led the final return in the twentieth year of 1 Artaxerxes (c. 444 BC). Ezra probably wrote this book between 457 and 444 BC (Nelson’s pg. 151-152). The main theme of this book is restoration-rebuilding of the temple and reformation of the people, which required a reassurance of faith in God and their identity as a chosen people.              

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 How does sovereign God work to make his will be done through humans? Obviously, one of the ways according to the book is that “he stirred the heart of” people (1:1; 1:5). He moved the heart of King Cyrus and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to rebuild the temple of the LORD. It reminds me of the verse in the NT, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Phl. 2:13).” I appreciate the fact that sovereign God works in such a gentle and non-imposing way.

2.2 God redemptive plan seems to be always carried out through a remnant. “But now we have been given a brief moment of grace, for the LORD our God has allowed a few of us to survive a remnant (9:8).” And the same word “remnant” is repeated in verse 13. Throughout the Scripture, it seems like it always takes only a few, a remnant for God to save his people.

The book of Nehemiah

1. Because Ezra and Nehemiah were treated as one book in the Hebrew text, and because the two books show certain similarities in style and outlook, many scholars have believed that Ezra and Nehemiah were originally compiled by the same person, probably Ezra. It is important that 1:1 describes the contents as “the words of Nehemiah.” This assertion is supported by the narrative about Nehemiah being in the first person. Thus, if Ezra was compiler, he was apparently quoting directly from the writing of Nehemiah. (Nelson’s pg. 155) This book was written to remind God’s people of their spiritual heritage and to keep them from becoming careless toward the Lord (Sourceview pg. 613).

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 God’s character is well presented in Nehemiah’s prayer, “the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands (1:5).” God is a covenant-keeping God and he made a covenant with people out of his abundant love. This very character of him is also found in 9:8, “and you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.”

2.2 Nehemiah recounted how God had led the people of Israel from the time of Abraham in chapter 9. And in verses from 19 through 21, he related how God protected, provided, and guided the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire showed them the way day and night. God sent the Holy Spirit to instruct them, and kept providing them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. Likewise, God protects, provides, and guides the church who lives the life of the wilderness in this world through the presence of the spirit of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. He never leaves us alone. He keeps providing us with manna or water which is God’s word. He who led the Israelites thousands years ago still guides us now.    

The book of Haggai

1. This book was written by prophet Haggai who directed his message to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and Jeshua, the high priest (1:1). In addressing them, Haggai was also speaking to the people of Judah who had returned from the exile. The message was to awaken them to see the reality that they had been deprived of the blessings from God because of their neglecting the temple rebuilding project. The people of Judah at the time were not interested in rebuilding the temple rather they were more interested in looking after their own needs, building their own houses and working on their own fields. However, God had his own priority and promised the people of Judah blessings if they follow through his priority.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 I found in this book God’s single-mindedness in pursuing his ultimate purpose of building the LORD’s temple. The temple does not just refer to a physical structure which was built in Jerusalem. The temple that God ultimately pursues to restore is the church in which his Spirit dwells forever.

2.2 God hinted the coming of Messiah in 2:9, “The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of the Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace.” This could refer to Jesus, the incarnated God who would come into this temple but it can also point to us, the church who has become the temple of God with the presence of Immanuel God within us. Also Zerubbabel son of Sheltiel serves as a type for Jesus, and through his lineage, Jesus came to the world. God says in 2:23, “I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the LORD, for I have chosen you.” And we know that God who is true to his word fulfilled his word.  

The book of Esther

1. The author of this book is not known. However based on the details of Jewish tradition (9:24-32) and the structure of the palace at the time of king Xerxes described in the book (1:5-6), it is assumed that the book was written by a devout Jew sometime between 460 and 350 BC. Esther became queen in 479 BC (Sourceview pg 634). The purpose of this book being written is to remind the people of Judah of how God miraculously rescued his people from the evil attempt to annihilate them all, which also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the true savior of us all.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 In the story of Esther, we can find so many works of God working behind the scene, which seem to non-believers a series of coincidence. Esther happened to have a favor from the eunuch and also the king. Mordecai happened to overhear the plot to assassinate the king. The king happened to have insomnia that led him to find out about Mordecai. Haman prepared a pole intended to kill Mordecai on it but it was him to be impaled. The list goes on and on. That just reminds me of this verse in Romans, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God is all willing and all able to do that.

2.2 This whole story of Esther through whom the Jewish people were saved reminds me of the story of God’s redemption through his son. Haman did not aim to kill just a few Jews whom he hated but to wipe out the entire Jewish people. Likewise Stan has tried to devour God’s chosen people ever since the human history began. Esther came to recue of her own Jewish people and Jesus, God’s chose people, church. Yet another main clue is the fact that Esther was an adopted daughter of Mordecai. The book specified the fact twice (2:7 and 2:15), which runs in parallel with the fact that Jesus was adopted to the lineage of King David. And (it could be a little stretch) but I notice Esther approached the king’s presence on the third day of the fast, which runs in parallel with the fact Jesus was resurrected on the third day after death. Therefore, this story of Esther which seemingly is a dramatic story of God’s protection in the history of the Jewish people shows a type for the messiah for the church, us.    

3. Application

Out of all fairy-tale like story of Esther, for all those divine appointments and turns of events, it was a bit hard to draw something applicable to me of today. However, I was reminded of what Jesus said upon the question of a disciple asking what they should do for God. He answered them that all you have to do is to believe in God. I think that is exactly what I need to do. Believe in God.

   

The book of Zechariah

1. This book was written by a prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah who was a contemporary of Haggai the prophet, Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest. The Israelites who returned to Jerusalem launched the project to rebuild the temple but soon hit upon obstacles and became discouraged. Zechariah gave this message to motivate the people to finish the good work they started and also to give them a vision of God’s plan beyond the restored temple. The historical setting for chapters 1-8 is 520-518 BC. The temple rebuilding project resumed in 520 BC and was completed in 516 BC. Chapters 9-14 specified no dates but stylistic differences and references to Greece (9:13) indicate a date of between 480 and 470 BC (Nelson’s pg. 271).

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession (2:8)” In this verse, it sounds like God identifies himself with us. In Hebrew, it is translated “Anyone who touches the pupil of his eye.” I feel so safe and so relieved.

2.2 This book is full of symbols and imageries foreshadowing Jesus, the messiah and the church. For example, in the fourth vision, Jeshua with filthy clothing on symbolizes the church. And Satan rightly accused him of the filthy clothing. However, God rejected his accusation and put on him fine new clothes. Likewise, we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and God put on us the new garment of righteousness. There are a couple of messianic prophecies in the book. In 3:8-9 “Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.” And in 6:12-13, the prophet gives us more information about this Branch, “Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the LORD. Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king form this throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne.”
In this we see that the old covenant is replaced by the new covenant which is through the Branch, Jesus.

3. Application

3.1 Chapters from 12 through 14 are full of references for the church era. For example, “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem (12:10). And “On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity (13:1).” “On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem..flowing continuously in both summer and winter (14:8).” Often times I feel frustrated, sad and bitter at things of the earth. Then I encounter this kind of verses which speak about my true identity (the church) in heaven and I realize how far I have fallen off from the perspective of the eternity. That is why it is so important to meditate the Word day and night otherwise I am so easily losing the perspective.

 3.2 Along the way I remind myself of my own identity in eternity, I can remind other people around me of the same thing so that they would not lose perspective.

The book of Malachi

1. It is not clear whether Malachi (“my messenger”) refers to the name of the prophet who wrote this book or just the title of this book. This is the last book written before the New Testament era, and was composed sometime after 460 BC after Israel returned from captivity in Babylon (538 BC), after the temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt (516 BC), and after worship there had lapsed into mere routine (Sourceview pg.1226). To confront that complacency and indifference the people at the time had toward God, this book was written.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 “I have always loved you (1:2),” this statement of God to the people of Israel struck me hard when I read it. It sounded so bitter and heartbroken as if it came from a husband betrayed by his unfaithful wife. And he answered as for how he loved his people upon the retorted response from them. “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country.” He basically said that “I chose you, Jacob over Esau for my people. And the decision had been made before the creation of the world therefore nothing from you or of you could have been credited for the decision.” This is how I got save as well. This is how I am loved by God. He just chose to do so. Wow!

2.2 God promised to send his messenger who would prepare the way before him (3:1a). Then, as we all know, the messenger of the covenant (3:1b), Jesus Christ, indeed came to the world and reconciled us with God through his sacrificial blood, once for all, on the cross.

3. Application

“The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. But you priests have left God’s paths. Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin (2:7-8).” This accusation God had against the priests who were entrusted with God’s Word awakens me to the gravity of responsibility of those who deliver the word of the Lord. The more I study his word, the heavier I feel the burden of knowing the word or not knowing the word correctly. Without God’s mercy and grace, it is so easy to go astray, which should make me humble.              

7th week

The book of Obadiah

1. First Impression

1.1 The book of Obadiah was probably written to the people of Israel after the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon between 605 and 586 BC. This assumption is made based on the verses from 11 through 14 which describe what the Edomites did against the Israelites in the time of foreign invasion and exile. They not just cheered the destruction of Jerusalem but also looted Judah afterward and even captured those who escaped from the Babylonian soldiers to hand them over to the enemy. Obviously God was greatly angered by the wicked and treacherous act of the Edomites because they were the close relatives to the Israelites above all else.

1.2 The original author of this book is Obadiah as verse 1 says that this vision of the judgment day for Edom was revealed to Obadiah.  This obscure prophet probably lived in the Southern Kingdom of Judah (Nelson’s pg247).

1.3 The main theme of this book is God’s irreversible judgment on Edom for its pride and self-reliance and his restoration of Israel.

1.4 This book was written, I think, to give hope to the people of Israel who were exiled to Babylon along with a sort of perspective on their situation. They were probably confused about the situation they ended up, thinking ‘how could we, God’s chosen people, be diminished to slaves even at the hands of the seemingly more evil pagan nation!’ This book does not mention Babylon but Edom but the people of Judah became to know through it that God was behind the scene and to their comfort this god would save them in someday. 

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 As the LORD’s name written in the verse 1 (“the Sovereign LORD”), God described in the book of Obadiah is predominantly a sovereign god. He is just who measures and weighs the sins of people on his scale and brings out judgment to them, which nobody can refute or avoid. However, at the same time, based on his anger toward the enemy state of Israel, his chosen people, we can peek into his heart, even favoritism, toward his people. Of course that does not mean Israel is free from God judgment. No! Think that God was using Babylon and Edom to punish the sins of Israel in the first place. Nevertheless, God spared a remnant from the people of Judah whereas none from the Edomites. Through the history of humanity, God has shown us his relentless, zealous pursuit of his redemption of his people with his mind-blowing, sovereign power.

2.2 The famous “but God” phrase is also found in this book. From verse 17 through 21, the prophet gives us this vision of a Jerusalem rebuilt, re-inhabited with the people who would return from exile, and that the land of Edom would be occupied by the people of Israel. This prophecy is about the return of Judah after 70 years in exile but, I think, also about God’s chosen people, the church. Because we, as church, are to experience our own exile in this world in one form or another and be delivered to Jerusalem in the mighty hand of God, where we will go up to Mount Zion and sing praises to our king, our LORD.

3.1 Out of all the verses in the book, the pride and arrogance of Edom described in verse 3 stands out to me. Because in spite of so many humbling moments I have had before God, that is exactly where I am ended up again and again. I think it is just a sinful human nature to constantly go back to this sin like a washed pig returns to the mud. I found, however, this helpless, frustrating situation helps me, in a paradoxical manner, humble myself before God. No matter how hard I try and how badly I want to be sin-free, at the end of the day, I just find myself “I can’t do it” spot. And this realization leads me time and again to Jesus who already took care of this very matter on the cross. It takes only faith for me to take it. What a wonderful truth it is!

3.2 The issue of pride and arrogance could serve us good like I mentioned above but most of the times it hinders people from accepting Jesus as their savior and lord. From my own experience, however, there is no way to convince a person of his/her pride issue because this pride itself blinds his/her eyes from the true state of their soul. It is only the Holy Spirit to take off the scale from the eyes and make us see what is truly in our mind. So how can I apply this to my point passion? On top of that, when the Scripture points out the issue of pride, it is intended to make us see our own pride not the pride of others. Maybe I need to think about it more. 

The book of Habakkuk

1. First Impression

1.1 The original reader of this book was the people of Israel who were facing the imminent threat of the Babylonian invasion (1:6; 1:12).  At the time, Judah was at the height of violence and injustice which is depicted by the prophet in verses 1:2-4.

1.2. Habakkuk, a prophet in the nation of Judah, wrote this book (1:1). The book does not give us other details about him but the musical reference at the conclusion of the book indicates that he may have been a priest connected with the temple worship in Jerusalem (Nelson’s pg 259).

1.3 The main theme found in this book is God’s judgment for the sins of Israel based on his sovereignty and righteousness, and the response of his people who believe in his goodness and faithfulness despite the circumstances beyond their understanding.

1.4 This book is obviously God’s answer to the questions put by Habakkuk. He explores to God all the violence and injustice rampant in the land of Judah and asks God to do something about it. To his surprise, God answers him that he will do something about it, but using the hand of Babylon which seems to be more evil than the people of Judah. God also reassures Habakkuk that he would destroy Babylon for the sins of their own. In the course of conversation with God, Habakkuk gets a bigger picture of God, realizing who God really is, who is in control of the human history with his infinite knowledge and wisdom.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 One of the distinctive natures of God is found in 2:2-3, “Write my answer plainly on tablets...if it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” God is omnipotent and omniscient so that whatever he thinks or says, that must come to pass. That is the reason why the righteous should and will live by faith which is commanded by God in the following verse 4.

2.2 The prophet describes God coming to our rescue with all might and power in 3:1-6. And he says in verse 6 that He is the Eternal One which is one of the names of Jesus, the messiah in the book of Isaiah. He comes not to destroy us but to rescue his chosen people, to save his anointed ones (2:13). Therefore, the prophet (and we) shouts for joy in the knowledge of salvation, our living God and savior

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”    

The Book of Zephaniah

1. Zephaniah, the prophet, wrote this book during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (1:1) but before the city of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria was destroyed (2:13). At the time, many leaders were corrupt and idolatry was rampant all across Judah (1:4-5). So the prophet wrote this to the people of Judah to warn them of imminent judgment for their sin and call them to repentance.

2. Theme Tracing

2.1 God hates pride and arrogance, which is found in 3:11-12 “I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain. Those who are left will be the lowly and humble…” And I could also find the definition of being humble in his sight in the latter part of verse 12, “for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD.” In other words, God sees us being humble before him when we only trust in the name of the LORD, not our own work or merits.

2.2 After all the judgment calls, God promised a restoration of the remnant of Israel (3:13). He promised that he would purify the speech of all people so that everyone can worship the LORD together (3:9).

The Book of Jeremiah

1. “The book clearly states that Jeremiah is its author (1:1). He dictated all his prophecies to his secretary Baruch from the beginning of his ministry until the fourth year of Jehoiakim, and later sections were also composed. Only chapter 52, a supplement which is almost identical to 2 Kings 24:18-25:30, was evidently not written by Jeremiah. According to 36:1-3, the writing of portions of Jeremiah may be dated with some precision to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, when Jeremiah was commanded by God to write down the prophetic messages he had delivered to the people over the previous twenty years.” (Nelson’s pg 209)

2.1 God searches all hearts and examines secrete motives while the human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked (17:9-10).

2.2 God’s redemptive plan for his people is found many times in the book of Jeremiah. Among them, in 23:3-6, saying “But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing…When I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line (Jesus!!!) He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The LORD IS Our Righteousness.’”

Lamentations

1. This book was probably written by Jeremiah though his name is not mentioned in the book. The vivid and passionate tone of the author gives a strong impression of one who had just experienced the horrors of the destruction of the Holy City and the temple (Nelson’s pg 215). Jeremiah pleaded with his people for years before the fall of Jerusalem as he knew it was coming if they did not repent.

2. The destruction of Jerusalem was God plan but he also planned the restoration of the city (2:17). And the LORD is good to those who depend on him to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD (3:25-26).

The Book of Ezekiel

1. This book was written by Ezekiel to the people of Judah exiled to Babylon between 593 and 571 BC (1:1-2). In the minds of the Israelites, there were doubts and feeling of rejection along with shame in their being slaves to a pagan nation. They might have doubted God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was still their God. Ezekiel wrote this book to enlighten them the cause of this disaster, their sin before God, but at the same time, he gave a hope of restoration by God through the remnant of the people of Judah.

2.1 Among the laments and sharp accusations against the people of Judah spoken by God, what stood out to me was 6:9, saying “then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me and they will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithfulness hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols.” He sounded like a husband hurt badly by his unfaithful, adulterous wife. He was deeply hurt and he wanted to make sure that his people knew it. However, at the same time, he revealed his state of heart seeing his people suffer in 18:23, “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” And that’s exactly why he sent them into the exile n the first place. He wanted them to turn back to him and live.

2.2 There are so many references for his plan of restoring his people throughout the book such as 11:16-17, 16:60-63, 20:40-44, 29:21, 34:11-15, 23, and 36:23-30. And it reached the peak at the vision of the dry bones in 37:4-14 and the presentation of two pieces of wood in the following verses. God also promised to send a king, a shepherd of people of Israel and that he would dwell among them and be their God and they will be his people. Other than these, the book is full of all the symbols and metaphors depicting Jesus and the restoration of his Kingdom through him. Just amazing and overwhelming manifestation of God’s mercy and grace!

3. The book is ended like this, “And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The LORD Is There.’” It just strikes me again and again that this is my God’s only desire demonstrated throughout the history of mankind and his works in it. He wants to dwell among us and be our God and wants us to be his people. To his very purpose he worked, is working and will work till the end of the world. To be honest, his fierce desire and jealousy he has in order to accomplish this purpose is just beyond my comprehension. However, I am just grateful and glad for the fact that I am included in this plan. I am chosen by his grace. That is the one and only reason I praise his name forever and more. 

The book of Daniel

1. This book was written by Daniel (12:4) and he used the autobiographical first person from 7:2 onward (Nelson’s pg 229). It is assumed that Daniel wrote this book between 536 and 530 BC- soon after Cyrus of Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC (Sourceveiw pg 1118). Daniel might have wanted to give a hope to the people of Judah who had been exiled for years by showing God’s plan for restoration of his people.

2.1 The most outstanding nature of God in this book is his sovereignty. Daniel said in 2:21-22, “he controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” As repeated over and over in the previous books, God hates pride and arrogance. Actually, he made a vivid illustration to make this point with King Nebuchanezzar and Belshazzar. He made it clear that “he is able to humble the proud (4:37)” For me, this sounds like awesome thing ever happened to human beings. Because we, humans, are never able to realize our own pride by our own eyes. It is only by grace of God who reveals the true state of our mind and humbles us before him for us to repent.

 2.2 In the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, a rock, which was cut from a mountain, not by human hands stoke the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits, symbolizes Jesus who came to the world to destroy the earthly kingdom and build an everlasting kingdom (2:34-45). In another vision, Daniel saw some like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He was given authority, honor and sovereignty over all the nations of the world. In this book, I could see God working at a global scale to save his people of every race, nation and language.

3. I learned a lesson from Daniel’s prayer in 9:18 where he said “we make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” That is the only attitude or position we can ever have before God in prayer, I think. We have nothing but the grace of God to rely on when we come to his presence. Nevertheless, I find myself too often times trying to depend on something else based on which I attempt to present my request to God. How ridiculous it is! Even though in my mouth I claim the grace of God, my mind is always busy finding my merits, my being worthy to come to God. However, this prayer of Daniel humbles me once again to claim only God’s mercy to be in his presence.

   

    

5th week: Kings & Chronicles and three other books

Kings of Judah

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Rehoboam (930-913)

Year of Reign: 17 years (1Ki 14:21)

Scripture References: 1Ki 12:1-24, 14:21-31

Good / bad king: Bad king (1Ki 12:3-14, 14:22-24)

1.

Battles:

·         There was constant war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam (1Ki 14:30)

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         Rehoboam refused the request from the leaders of Israel to lessen the burdens of labor and taxes but decided to make them even heavier based upon the counsel of the young men.

·         He mobilized the troop among the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to fight against the northern tribes of
Israel but did not go to war in obedience to the message from the Lord.

·         In the fifth year of his reign, King Shishak of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and ransacked the treasuries of the LORD’s temple and the royal palace.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Shemaiah

Prophetic message:

·         Do not fight against your relatives, the Israelites. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing.

Response:

·         They obeyed the message and went home.

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Other Observation:

·         The people of Israel followed the detestable practices of idolatry, building pagan shrines and sacred pillars and Asherah poles. It seems that as a punishment for that sin, God sent the king of Egypt to attack Jerusalem in the fifth year of Jing Rehoboam’s reign.

4. Remarks:

·         The king paid no attention to the people.

·         During Rehoboam’s reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.

5. Leadership application:

·         To have many counsels could be a wise thing but foolish one just won’t stop seeking advice until he/she he gets what he/she wants to hear.

·          A little act of pride could result in a huge loss that he/she could not even imagine.

·         All the good-intended wisdom and counsel means nothing before the will of the LORD.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Abijam (913-910)

Year of Reign: 3 years (1Ki 15:2)

Scripture References: 1Ki 15:1-8

Good / bad king: Bad king (1Ki 15:3)

1.

Battles:

·         There was constant war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         N/A

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·         N/A

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Other Observation:

·         Despite his unfaithfulness, God allowed his descendants to continue ruling and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him.

4. Remarks:

·         He committed the same sins as his father before him, and he was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been.

5. Leadership application:

·         Leaders would be well advised to remember that their position as a leader might not be based on their own merits but for the grace and faithfulness of God.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Asa (910-869)

Year of Reign: 41 years (1Ki 15:10)

Scripture References: 1Ki 15:1-24

Good / bad king: Good king (1Ki 15:11-15)

1.

Battles:

·         There was constant war between King Asa and King Baasha of Israel.

Alliances:

·         Ben-hadad, the king of Aram

Other key events (Summary):

·         He banished the male and female shrine prostitutes from the lan d and got rid of all the idols.

·         He deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made Asherah pole which he cut down and burned in the Kidron Valley.

·         He brought into the Temple of the LORD the silver and gold and other dedicated items.

·         He gave all the silver and gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the royal palace to the king of Aram to get help from them in fighting off Israel.

·         He used the materials left by Israel to fortify the town of Geba in Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·         N/A

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Other Observation:

·         It seems to be a very odd turn of events that Asa whose heart was so dedicated to the LORD had to turn to the pagan nation for help in order to drive Israel out of Judah. To make a treaty with the king of Aram, he had to give all the silver and gold in the treasuries of the Temple which he and his father dedicated to the LORD. What if he asked help from the LORD? Why did he not do that? The scripture does not tell why. Anyway God credited him to be completely faithful to him throughout his life.

4. Remarks:

·         Asa did what was pleasing to the LORD’s sight and his heart remained completely faithful to the LORD throughout his life.

5. Leadership application:

·         Asa was so single-minded when he pursued God’s command to tear down all the idols and poles that he even denied his grandmother of her royal position. His act reminded me of what Jesus said to the disciples in the NT that they cannot follow him unless they deny their own father and mother and even their own life. Deposing his own flesh and blood might have not been an easy decision to make. However, he feared God more than anything else including the damage to his own refutation or relationship. Leaders have only one being whom they are accountable to thus in fear of, God.    

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jehoshaphat (872-848)

Year of Reign: 25 years (1Ki 22:42)

Scripture References: 1Ki 22:1-49, 2Ki 3:7-27

Good / bad king: Good king (1Ki 22:43)

1.

Battles:

·         He joined King Ahab in the war against Ramoth-gilead (the king of Aram).

·         He joined King Joram in the war against King Mesha of Moab.

Alliances:

·         Israel

Other key events (Summary):

·         Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

·         He banished from the land the rest of male and female prostitutes but failed to remove all the pagan shrines.

·         He built a fleet of trading ships to sail to Ophir for gold which, however, never set sail.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Micaiah son of Imlah

Prophetic message:

·         The campaign against Ramoth-gilead would fail which Jehoshaphat was going to join, and king Ahab would be killed.

Response:

·         King Ahab arrested the prophet and went out to war despite the prophecy, and Jehoshaphat joined him.

Fulfillment:

·         The troops of Israel and Judah were defeated by the Aramean army, and King Ahab was killed in the battle.

Prophet’s name:

·         Elisha son of Shaphat

Prophetic message:

·         The LORD would give them (the troops of Joram of Istrael and of Jehoshaphat of Judah) water and also victory over Moab.

Response:

·         They offered the morning sacrifice.

Fulfillment:

·         Water suddenly appeared and God defeated the Moabite army by making them delusional.

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was pleasing to the LORD’s sight.

4. Leadership application:

·         It was wise of him to seek the counsel of the LORD on whether they would go for war. However, he did not listen to the prophet’s warning against the war. It is not clear why he did that maybe because of the alliance he made with Ahab. Anyway his life was spared because it was not him whom God sought after. The leadership lesson I could draw from this episode is to hang out with good friends, not bad ones.

 

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jehoram (853-842)  

Year of Reign: 8 years (2Ki 8:17)

Scripture References: 2Ki 8:16-24

Good / bad king: Bad king (2Ki 8:18)

1.

Battles:

·         Jehoram went out to war against the Edomites in response to their revolt but was defeated. As a result Edom has been independent from Judah.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         He married one of Ahab’s daughters.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·         N/A

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Remarks:

·         Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel, and was as wicked as Ahab. He did evil what was evil in the LORD’s sight.

4. Leadership application:

·         It is critical to choose the right spouse because that would have a huge impact on your life.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Ahaziah (842-841)

Year of Reign: 1 year (2Ki 8:26)

Scripture References: 2Ki 8:25-9:29)

Good / bad king: Bad king (2Ki 8:27)

1.

Battles:

·         Ahaziah joined Joram, the king of Israel, in his war against King Hazael of Aram at Ramoth-gilead.

Alliances:

·         Israel

Other key events (Summary):

·         When King Joram was wounded in the battle, he went to Jezreel to visit him and there he was killed by Jehu along with Joram.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·         N/A

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done.

4. Leadership application:

·         The Scripture says that he did evil following the deeds of Ahab’s family for he was related to the family of Ahab by marriage. Again whom you marry is very important. Also he was killed while he was visiting his ally in Israel. That again shows with whom you befriend can be a life-or-death decision.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Athaliah (841-835)

Year of Reign: 6 years (2Ki 11:3)

Scripture References: 2Ki 11:1-16

Good / bad king: Bad queen (2Ki 11:1)

1.

Battles:

·         N/A

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         She killed the rest of the royal family to become a queen upon the new of death of his son.

·         Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba hid Joash, Ahaziah’s infant son, in the Temple of the LORD for 6 years.

·         Led by Jehoiada the priest, Joash became king and Athaliah was killed.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·         N/A

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Remarks:

·         N/A

4. Leadership application:

·         What was she thinking when she killed her own flesh and blood to be the top leader of the country? It serves us a good reminder of how wicked humans can be in order to get a hold of power.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Joash (835-796)

Year of Reign: 40 years (2Ki 12:1)

Scripture References: 2Ki 11:2-12:21

Good / bad king: Good king (2Ki 12:2)

1.

Battles:

·         N/A

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         With the lead of Jehoiada the priest, the temple of Baal was torn down and the priest of Baal was killed.

·         Joash ordered the priests to repair the Temple of the LORD, which was followed through despite it had been delayed though.

·         At the threat of being attacked by King Hazael of Aram, he collected all the sacred objects that had been dedicated by his ancestors and himself to give them all to Hazael as a tribute, thus disaster averted.

·         He was assassinated by his trusted advisers.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

3. Remarks:

·         All his life Joash did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight.

4. Leadership application:

·         Despite all the good works he had done throughout his life, he had a very tragic ending. Well his story is a reminder to me that our life on earth is not about doing good and having a happy ending.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Amaziah (796-767)

Year of Reign: 29 years (2Ki 14:2)

Scripture References: 2Ki 14:1-20

Good / bad king: Good king (2Ki 14:3)

1.

Battles:

·         He waged a war against Israel but was defeated by them.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         Amaziah executed those who had assassinated his father but spared their children.

·         He also killed 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt and also conquered Sela whose name was changed to Joktheel.

·         He was assassinated by his enemies.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         Amaziah did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, but not like his ancestor David.

5. Leadership application:

·         After the victory over the Edomites, Amaziah became so proud that he would not listen to the advice given by King Jehoash of Israel. The price he had to pay for his wrong judgment was huge.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Uzziah (792-740)

Year of Reign: 52 years (2Ch 26:3)

Scripture References: 2Ch 26:1-23

Good / bad king: Good king

1.

Battles:

·         He waged war with the Philistines, the Arabs of Gur, and the Meunites. And God gave him victory over them.

Alliances:

·          

Other key events (Summary):

·         He built fortification in Jerusalem, constructed forts in the wilderness, and dug many water cisterns.

·         He had many workers who cared for his farms and vineyards and also had great livestock.

·         He also had an army of well-trained warriors.

·         However, he became very proud because of his success and sinned against the LORD by burning incense to the LORD. As a punishment, he had leprosy and had to live in isolation for the rest of his life.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·          

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:                                                                                                                                         

·          

3. Remarks:

·         Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the LORD, God gave him success. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.

5. Leadership application:

·         Great success seems to bring the leader to the place of pride even when such success was given by God. Well, if it is that hard not to be proud after accomplishing a great success, it would be better not to desire too much success that one cannot handle.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jotham (750-735)

Year of Reign: 16 years (2Ch 27:1)

Scripture References: 2Ch 27:1-9

Good / bad king: Good king (2Ch 27:2)

1.

Battles:

·         He went to war against the Ammonites and conquered them.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         He rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the LORD and did extensive construction works across the land of Judah.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·          

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the LORD his God.

4. Leadership application:

·         Even though he was successful as his father was, Jotham could remain in the path of the righteous unlike his father because he lived in the fear of the LORD. Leaders should ask God for his grace to keep them in obedience to the LORD.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Ahaz (735-719)

Year of Reign: 16 years (2Ch 28:1)

Scripture References: 2Ch 28:1-27

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         The king of Aram and the king of Israel defeated Judah, respectively, inflicting many casualties and exiling large numbers of his people.

·         King Ahaz asked the King of Assyria for help to drive out the army of Edom but King Tiglath-pileser betrayed Ahaz to attack Judah instead.

Alliances:

·         Assyria (but it betrayed Judah to attack it)

Other key events (Summary):

·         Ahaz worshiped pagan idols, following detestable practices of pagan nations.

·         The people of Judah were taken captive by Israel but at the warning of God given through Odeb the prophet were released.

·         He destroyed the various articles of the Temple of God and shut the door of the Temple to prevent people from worshipping God.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Odeb

Prophetic message:

·         God used Israel to punish Judah for idolatry but Israel went too far to the extent that they took the people of Judah as prisoners. Release them otherwise God would turn his fierce anger against the Israel.

Response:

·         Israel released the prisoners and took care of them.

Fulfillment:

·         N/A

3. Remarks:

·         Even during the time of trouble, King Ahaz continued to reject the LORD.

4. Leadership application:

·         Despite warning after warning by God, King Ahaz kept rejecting God and clung to all the other gods instead. He is a sad example of one whose heart is so darkened to recognize the light of salvation. I don’t know how to draw a leadership lesson here because it does not really depend on humans making efforts to seek the light. Rather it is a grace of God who breaks the hardened heart so as to repent.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Hezekiah (727-715-698/686)

Year of Reign: 29 years (2Ch 29:1)

Scripture References: 2Ch 29:1-32:33, 2Ki 18:1-20:21

Good / bad king: Good king

1.

Battles:

·         King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah but the LORD sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian army.

Alliances:

·          

Other key events (Summary):

·         Hezekiah reopened the doors of the Temple of the LORD and repaired them. He restored the Temple to service.

·         He invited all the people of Judah and Israel to celebrate the Passover of the LORD and led them to follow God and his commands.

·         When he became deathly ill, he prayed God for healing, and God answered his prayer. However, he did not response appropriately to God’s kindness and became proud. But later Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride.

·         But again he became proud that he showed the ambassadors from Babylon everything in the treasuries, for which God decided to punish Judah but not in his lifetime.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Isaiah

Prophetic message:

·         God would protect His city of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria.

Response:

·         N/A

Fulfillment:

·         God sent his angel to kill 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. And King Sennacherib went back to Assyria and was killed by his sons.

Prophet’s name:

·         Isaiah

Prophetic message:

·         Everything in Hezekiah’s palace would be carried off to Babylon and some of his sons would be exiled there.

Response:

·         He took it as good, thinking that at least he could live in peace and security.

Fulfillment:

God carried out what he had said.

3. Remarks:

·         In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly.

4. Leadership application:

·         Once again, the Scripture clearly shows that it is God who withholds a person’s heart so as not to sin. As soon as God withdrew from Hezekiah, he became proud and did stupid things. And it says that God did this to test him and to see what was really in his heart. Did God not know what was in his heart? Of course God knew but it was Hezekiah who did not know what’s in his heart. He must have been quite confident about his integrity and loyalty to God. Just think of all the good things he had done throughout his life! But he did not know it was only possible for the grace of God granted to him. I think God wanted to expose this to him in the test so that he could truly humble himself before God. But I am so sure if he got the message because his response did not sound like he did.   

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Manasseh (698-642)

Year of Reign: 55 years

Scripture References: 2Ch 33:1-20

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         The commanders of the Assyrian armies took Manasseh prisoner and led him away to Babylon.

Alliances:

·          

Other key events (Summary):

·         Manasseh rebuilt pagan shrines, constructed altars for Baal and all the powers of the heavens, set up Asherah poles, and even built pagan altars in the Temple of the LORD.

·         He sacrificed his own sons in the fire and practiced sorcery, divination, witchcraft and constructed with mediums and psychics.

·         While he was in exile, he repented and asked God for help, and God answered his prayer to send him back home. Then he removed the foreign gods and the idol from the Temple.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God!

4. Leadership application:

·         Despite so many evil acts and sins he committed throughout his life, I think Manasseh was truly blessed in the end because he got to sincerely humble himself before God and realize who God is.  

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Amon (642-640)

Year of Reign: 2 years

Scripture References: 2Ch 33:21-25

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         N/A

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         Amon worshiped and sacrificed to all the idols his father had made but unlike his father, he never humbled himself before God.

·         He got killed by his own officials in his palace.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.

4. Leadership application:

·         Well, I don’t know.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Josiah (640-609)

Year of Reign: 31 years

Scripture References: 2Ch 34:1-35:27

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         King Josiah fought against King Neco of Egypt who first refused to fight with him, and was killed in the battle.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         He purified Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and carved idols and cast images.

·         He repaired the Temple of the LORD and found the Book of the Law written by Moses.

·         He called all the people of Judah to renew the covenant with God in the LORD’s presence and made sure they keep all his commands, laws and decrees.

·         He celebrated the Passover of the LORD with all the people in Jerusalem.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Huldah

Prophetic message:

·         God would bring disaster on Jerusalem and its people for their sins but not in the lifetime of Josiah.

Response:

·         He called all the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Temple and renewed the covenant.

Fulfillment:

·         God carried out his word.

3. Remarks:

·         He did not turn away from doing what was right.

4. Leadership application:

·         Unlike Hezekiah at the prophecy of calamity on his offspring, King Josiah truly repented of his sin and the sins of his ancestors. Also he led all his people to turn back from idolatry and turn to God. A true leader should take the destiny of his people as if it’s his/her own and stand in the gap between them and God as intercessor. King Josiah is a good example of such leadership.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jehoahaz (609)

Year of Reign: 3 months

Scripture References: 2Ch 36:1-4

Good / bad king: ?

1.

Battles:

·         The king of Egypt deposed him and took him to Egypt as a prisoner.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         The king of Egypt demanded that Judah pay a tribute.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         N/A

4. Leadership application:

·         The period of his ruling is too short to commend on it.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jehoiakim (609-598)

Year of Reign: 11 years

Scripture References: 2Ch 36:4-8

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         King Nebuchadnezza of Babylon came to Jerusalem and captured it and bound Jehoiakim in chains and led him away to Bablyon.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         Nebuchadnezza took some of the treasures from the Temple of the LORD and placed them in his palance.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

4. Leadership application:

·         With an end of the kingdom approaching, the king still did evil and could not turn back. Well, that is how we are and what we are without God’s hand holding us. A good reminder.

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Jehoiachin (598-597)

Year of Reign: 3 months and 10 days

Scripture References: 2Ch 36:9-10

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         King Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin to Babylon and took many treasures from the Temple as well.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         N/A

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         N/A

Prophetic message:

·          

Response:

·          

Fulfillment:

·          

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.

4. Leadership application:

·         The same lesson as above.

  

Name of king (Dynasty of David): Zedekiah (597-586)

Year of Reign: 11 years

Scripture References: 2Ch 36:11-20

Good / bad king: Bad king

1.

Battles:

·         King Zedekiah rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who came to kill the people and destroy the temple and the wall of Jerusalem.

Alliances:

·         N/A

Other key events (Summary):

·         The few who survived were taken as exiles to Bablylon to become servants to the king and his sons.

2.

Prophet’s name:

·         Jeremiah

Prophetic message:

·         God would hand Judah over to Nebuchadnezzar so the people of Judah would be exiled to Babylon until the appointed time.

Response:

·         The leaders and people scoffed at the prophets and refused to turn back.

Fulfillment:

·         Judah was completely captured by Babylon as prophesied.

3. Remarks:

·         He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and refused to humble himself at the warning from the prophet.

4. Leadership application:

·         In his grace, God kept sending his prophets to warn his people who however refused to listen! They eventually turned to the LORD in many years later in the mist of anguish which could have been averted only if they listened to what the prophets said to them earlier. Well, I don’t know how to apply the lesson here because we humans tend to learn a lesson really hard way all the time.

Proverbs

For a long time, I have regarded the book of Proverbs as a book of giving good advice for daily life or moral/ethical standards hence…boring. However, when I read the book this time, I found something significant, which totally changed my perspective for reading Proverb. In Chapter 8, there appears a character called Wisdom which speaks like a person and actually gives us a very long speech. And her speech reminds me of a person whose characteristics found in the Bible match the descriptions about this Wisdom. For example, the scene described in verse 3 where Wisdom cried out to people by the gates at the entrance of the town, on the road reminds me of Jesus on the last day of great celebration standing on the road and speaking in a loud voice, “let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37) Wisdom also promises that she will love all who love her and those who search will surely find her in verse 17. She also says she was there at the side of God when he was creating the world in verse 30. This finding just turned a boring moral book into a lot more interesting book of revealing Jesus to us.

Ecclesiastes

The main theme running throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, I found, is the acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God (vs. the nothingness of humans before him). In 1:13, Solomon says after life-long search for understanding and wisdom, “I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race and everything going on under the sun is meaningless.” We, humans, always compete with one another, but hear what the king says in 2:14, “Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate.” And he accepts something that we, as self-centered beings believing the world is revolving around them, find very hard to accept. That is said in 6:10, “Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there is no use arguing with God about your destiny.” Does it sound like a doom? No! Exactly the opposite! Because that means our destiny as the church has been decided long ago to share the wonderful inheritance of God as a co-heir of Jesus Christ. This seemingly depressing book is, in fact, a book of hope and reassurance of our fate which is to be shaken by nothing.

Song of Songs     

On the surface, this book describes the loving relationship between King Solomon and his bride. And I agree with those who claim this is ultimately about the relationship between Jesus and his bride, the church, based on the belief that all books in the bible testify Jesus and Jesus alone. Honestly speaking, I don’t understand all the elements of the typology and metaphor described here. Nevertheless, I feel a little uncomfortable when I hear people expressing their discomfort at the thought that intimate relationship between a husband and a wife is a type for the relationship between Jesus and the church. Because I believe that this marriage relationship we see in our mundane human world was given by God to allow us or at least get a hint of the perfect relationship between us and Jesus as a type. Therefore, the relationship with Jesus and the church was there first and the husband-and-wife relationship came later, at least from where I see it, not the other way round. I believe Song of Songs depicts the most amazing and undeserving (on the church’s side) relationship between Jesus and the church in the most human, down-to-earth terms and expressions.