Latter Old Testament History

LATTER OLD
TESTAMENT HISTORY
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day
of the LORD.” Malachi 4:5
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Table of Contents
LATTER OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY ........................................................................................................................................... i
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................................. ii
Foundation for Latter Old Testament History ........................................................................................................ 1
Middle Testament History Review .......................................................................................................................... 1
Foundation ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Outline of the 5 kings of Judah .................................................................................................................................. 5
Studying Old Testament Prophecy............................................................................................................................. 12
Principles of Interpretation ...................................................................................................................................... 12
Law of the significance of Bible names ................................................................................................................ 14
Dual Applications .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
The Purpose of Prophecy .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Jeremiah – Jah will rise ........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Author and Title ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
Date..................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Theme ................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Key Themes ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Purpose, Occasion, and Background ..................................................................................................................... 22
Distinctive Features ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
History of Salvation Summary................................................................................................................................. 30
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 1 – Jeremiah ordained to speak the word of the Lord ...................................................................... 34
Reading ............................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Time frame (1-3)........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Chose to speak the words of the Lord (4-10).................................................................................................... 40
First vision of Jeremiah: Judgment (11-16) ....................................................................................................... 42
The Lord is with him to help him speak (17-19) ............................................................................................. 44
Chapter 2 – Where is the Lord? (Israel’s sin) ........................................................................................................ 46
God’s deliverance from Egypt (1-8) ...................................................................................................................... 46
Forsaken the fountain of living waters (9-19).................................................................................................. 48
Israel is playing the harlot (20-30) ....................................................................................................................... 50
Chapter 3 – Forgotten God (Call to Repentance) ................................................................................................. 55
Latter rain witholden because of wickeness (1-5) ......................................................................................... 55
Judah has not learned from Israel (6-11) ........................................................................................................... 57
Chapter 4 – Judgment from the North ...................................................................................................................... 68
Reading ............................................................................................................................................................................. 68
Chapter 5 – Jerusalem refused to Repent................................................................................................................ 75
Chapter 6 – Coming Judgment on Jerusalem ......................................................................................................... 77
Chapter 7 – Shock Treatment | Evil in the Land ................................................................................................... 79
Chapter 8 – Treachery in Judah ................................................................................................................................... 89
Chapter 9 – Jeremiah’s Lamentation for Jerusalem ............................................................................................ 91
Chapter 10 – Idols and the Living God ..................................................................................................................... 93
Chapter 11 – The Broken Covenant ........................................................................................................................... 95
Chapter 12 – Jermiah’s Complaint to God ............................................................................................................... 98
Chapter 13 – The Ruined Girdle ............................................................................................................................... 100
Chapter 14 – Famine, Sword, and Pestilence...................................................................................................... 102
Dearth of water and grass (1-6) .......................................................................................................................... 102
Plead to be saved for the Lord’s name sake (7-9) ........................................................................................ 103
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Lord visits the sins of the people because they rebel (10-12) ................................................................ 103
False prophets and people consumed by sword and famine (13-19) ................................................. 103
Jeremiah acknowledges sin and request God to keep covenant (20-22) ........................................... 104
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 105
Chapter 15 – Covenant ................................................................................................................................................. 106
Captivity and death come because of the sins of Manasseh (1-4) ......................................................... 106
God delivers His people to the sword because they have forsaken Him (5-9) ................................ 107
Jeremiah wishes he wasn’t born (10-11)......................................................................................................... 107
Chapter 16 – Famine, Sword, and Death | The LORD will restore Israel ................................................ 109
Chapter 17 – Fruit of the Heart | The Sin of Judah............................................................................................ 111
Sin on heart and altars of Judah (heaven) causes spoil and lost of heritage (1-4) ......................... 111
Blessing and cursing pronounced because of the heart (5-8)................................................................. 112
Heart searched to give reward to every man (9-11) .................................................................................. 113
Hearts are searched in sanctuary to give final reward (12-14) ............................................................. 114
Jeremiah asks for the day of evil (reward to cursed) (15-18)................................................................. 115
Blessing or curse based upon keeping of the Sabbath (19-27) .............................................................. 116
Chapter 18 – The Potter and the Claw................................................................................................................... 118
Chapter 19 – The Broken Bottle ............................................................................................................................... 120
Chapter 20 – Jeremiah persecuted by Pashur .................................................................................................... 121
Chapter 21 – Judgment from Nebuchadnezzar | Message to the Houseo f David ............................... 123
Chapter 22 – Message to sons of Josiah ................................................................................................................ 125
Chapter 23 – Messiah: The Righteous Brance .................................................................................................... 128
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 133
Chapter 24 – The two baskets of Figs .................................................................................................................... 134
Chapter 25 – Seventy Years of Captivity............................................................................................................... 136
Chapter 26 – Jeremiah threatened with Death .................................................................................................. 141
Chapter 27 – The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar ........................................................................................................ 143
Chapter 28 – Hananiah the False Prophet ........................................................................................................... 145
Chapter 29 – Jeremiah’s letter to the Exiles | Shemaiah’s False Prophecy ............................................. 146
Chapter 30 – Restoration for Israel and Judah | The Time of Jacob’s Trouble...................................... 149
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 154
Chapter 31 – Covenant Promise to Israel and Judah ....................................................................................... 155
Chapter 32 – Redemption and the New Covenant............................................................................................ 162
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 162
Chapter 33 – Promise of Peace ................................................................................................................................. 169
Chapter 34 – Zedekiah to Die in Babylon ............................................................................................................. 171
Chapter 35 – The Obediance of the Rechabites ................................................................................................. 173
Chapter 36 – Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah’s Scroll............................................................................................... 175
Chapter 37 – Zedekiak warns Zedekiah................................................................................................................ 178
Chapter 38 – Jeremiah Cast & Delivered from the Cistern | Warning to Zedekiah ............................. 180
Chapter 39 – The Fall of Jerusalem | Jeremiah is Delivered ......................................................................... 182
Chapter 40 – Jeremiah remains in Judah .............................................................................................................. 184
Chapter 41 – Gedaliah Murdered............................................................................................................................. 186
Chapter 42 – Warning against going to Egypt .................................................................................................... 188
Chapter 43 – Jeremiah taken to Egypt ................................................................................................................... 190
Chapter 44 – Judgment for Idoltary........................................................................................................................ 191
Chapter 45 – Message to Baruch.............................................................................................................................. 194
Chapter 46 – Judgment on Egypt ............................................................................................................................. 195
Chapter 47 – Judgment on the Philistines ............................................................................................................ 197
Chapter 48 – Judgment on Moab ............................................................................................................................. 198
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Chapter 49 – Judgment on Ammon......................................................................................................................... 202
Chapter 50 – Judgment on Babylon ........................................................................................................................ 205
Chapter 51 – Destruction of Babylon ..................................................................................................................... 210
Chapter 52 – Fall of Jerusalem Recounted ........................................................................................................... 214
Lamentations........................................................................................................................................................................ 217
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 217
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 217
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 217
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 217
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 218
Purpose, Occasion, and Background .................................................................................................................. 218
History of Salvation Summary.............................................................................................................................. 218
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 219
Chapter 1 – Jerusalem sits solitary ......................................................................................................................... 220
Chapter 2 – Destroyed Without Pity ...................................................................................................................... 222
Chapter 3 – God’s Faithfulness ................................................................................................................................. 224
Chapter 4 – Holy Stones laid Desolate ................................................................................................................... 227
Chapter 5 – Plea for Restoration .............................................................................................................................. 229
Ezekiel ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 230
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 230
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 234
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 234
Theme and Purpose .................................................................................................................................................. 235
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 235
Distinctive Features .................................................................................................................................................. 238
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 240
Chapter 1 – The Glory of the Lord ........................................................................................................................... 244
Time frame for the book of Ezekiel (1-3)......................................................................................................... 245
Description of the 4 living creatures (Cherubims) (4-14) ........................................................................ 246
Description of the wheels (15-21) ...................................................................................................................... 248
Describe the living creatures and the wheels in relationship to the throne (22-25) .................... 250
Description of who sat on the throne (26-28) ............................................................................................... 250
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 251
Chapter 2 – The Calling of Ezekial ........................................................................................................................... 252
Chapter 3 – A Watchman for Israel ......................................................................................................................... 254
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 258
Chapter 4 – Seige of Jerusalem Symbolized ........................................................................................................ 259
Chapter 5 – Jerusalem will be Destroyed ............................................................................................................. 261
Chapter 6 – Judgment against Idolatry.................................................................................................................. 263
Chapter 7 – The Day of the Wrath of the Lord ................................................................................................... 267
Chapter 8 – Abominations in the Temple............................................................................................................. 270
Chapter 9 – Slaying of the Idolaters........................................................................................................................ 273
Chapter 10 – Glory of the LORD leaves the Temple ......................................................................................... 279
Chapter 11 – Judgment on Wicked Counselers | Promise of Restoration............................................... 281
Chapter 12 – Judah’s Captivity Symbolized......................................................................................................... 283
Chapter 13 – False Prophets Condemned ............................................................................................................ 285
Chapter 14 – Jerusalem not Spared ........................................................................................................................ 288
Chapter 15 – Jerusalem, a Useless Vine ................................................................................................................ 291
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Chapter 16 – Israel played the Harlot .................................................................................................................... 292
Chapter 17 – Parables of the Eagles and the Vine ............................................................................................ 300
Chapter 18 – The Soul is the LORD’s ...................................................................................................................... 302
Chapter 19 – Lamentation for the Princes of Israel ......................................................................................... 305
Chapter 20 – Judgment for abominations ............................................................................................................ 306
Chapter 21 – The LORD has Drawn His Sword .................................................................................................. 310
Chapter 22 – Israel’s shedding of Blood ............................................................................................................... 312
Chapter 23 – Oholah and Oholibah ......................................................................................................................... 314
Chapter 24 – The Seige of Jerusalem ...................................................................................................................... 317
Chapter 25 – Judgments pronounced on Ammon, Edom, Moab, Seir and the Philistines ................ 319
Chapter 26 – Prophecy against Tyrus .................................................................................................................... 321
Chapter 27 – A lamentation for Tyrus ................................................................................................................... 323
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 326
Chapter 28 – Judgments on the Prince and King of Tyre ............................................................................... 327
Chapter 29 – Prophecy against Egypt .................................................................................................................... 330
Chapter 30 – Lamentation for Egypt ...................................................................................................................... 332
Chapter 31 – Pharoah to be Slain ............................................................................................................................ 334
Chapter 32 – Lamentation for the king of Egypt ............................................................................................... 336
Chapter 33 – Ezekiel a Watchmen to warn Israel of Judgments ................................................................. 338
Chapter 34 – Prophecy against Shepherds of Israel | Covenant of Peace ............................................... 340
Chapter 35 – Prophecy against Mount Seir ......................................................................................................... 342
Chapter 36 – Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel | Promise of New Heart .......................................... 343
Chapter 37 – Valley of Dry Bones ............................................................................................................................ 346
Chapter 38 – Prophecy againt Gog .......................................................................................................................... 348
Chapter 39 – Prophecy against Magog .................................................................................................................. 350
Chapter 40 – The Vision of the New Temple ...................................................................................................... 352
Ezekiel’s Temple Vision........................................................................................................................................... 352
Temple Plan ................................................................................................................................................................. 352
Temple Tour ................................................................................................................................................................ 353
Chapter 41 – The Inner Temple ............................................................................................................................... 358
Chapter 42 – The Temple’s Chamber ..................................................................................................................... 360
Chapter 43 – The Glory of the LORD fills the Temple ..................................................................................... 362
Chapter 44 – Ministration of Levitical Priest ...................................................................................................... 364
Chapter 45 – The Holy District | Portion for the Prince ................................................................................. 366
Chapter 46 – the Prince & the Feasts ..................................................................................................................... 368
Chapter 47 – Water flowing from the Temple | Division of the Land ....................................................... 370
Chapter 48 – Portions of Inheritance ..................................................................................................................... 372
Zephaniah – Hid of the Lord ........................................................................................................................................... 374
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 374
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 375
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 375
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 376
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 376
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 377
Chapter 1 - Day of the Lord | Punishment of God’s people ........................................................................... 379
Consummation of all wicked (1-6) ..................................................................................................................... 379
Day of the Lord’s punishment (7-13) ................................................................................................................ 382
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Day of the Lord’s wrath (14-18) .......................................................................................................................... 384
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 385
Chapter 2 - Desolation of God’s Enemies | Hope ............................................................................................... 387
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 387
How to be hid in the day of the Lord (1-3) ...................................................................................................... 389
Desolation of Philistines (4-7).............................................................................................................................. 391
Desolation of Moabites and Ammonites (8-11) ............................................................................................ 392
Desolation of Ethiopia and Assyria (12-15) ................................................................................................... 393
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 394
Chapter 3 - Restoration of Jerusalem | Future Triumphant ......................................................................... 395
Rebukes on Jerusalem’s sins (1-4) ..................................................................................................................... 395
Judgment on all nations in the world (5-7)..................................................................................................... 396
God restores His holy mountain (8-13)............................................................................................................ 397
God’s promise and future triumph of His people (14-20) ........................................................................ 399
Habakkuk – God’s Judgments & Salvation................................................................................................................ 405
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 405
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 408
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 408
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 409
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 409
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 410
Chapter 1 – God executes judgment through Babylon | Divine forbearance with Judah ................. 411
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 411
Habakkuk cries for judgment and deliverance (1-5) .................................................................................. 411
The rise of Babylon to execute Judgment (Prophecy) (5-11).................................................................. 412
Purpose of the rise of Babylon (Revelation of God’s justice) (12-17).................................................. 414
Chapter 2 – Judgment pronounced on Babylon (The Solution) .................................................................. 416
Vision given at an appointed time (1-4)........................................................................................................... 416
Judgment of Babylon (fall of Babylon) (5-11)................................................................................................ 420
The Earth given knowledge of God through Babylon (12-14) ................................................................ 421
Violence returned on Babylon (15-17)............................................................................................................. 422
Folly of trusting graven images (18-20)........................................................................................................... 423
Chapter 3 – Christ brings Salvation to His people | The Judgment of God and Habakkuk’s
Response ............................................................................................................................................................................ 426
Final destruction of the wicked (glory files the earth) (1-6) ................................................................... 426
Outpouring of wrath on wicked to bring salvation (7-15) ....................................................................... 428
Habakkuk rejoices & trusts God for salvation (16-19) .............................................................................. 430
Haggai – The Lord’s House ............................................................................................................................................. 435
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 435
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 435
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 435
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 436
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 436
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 442
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Chapter 1 – Building the Lord’s House .................................................................................................................. 443
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 443
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 443
Historical time frame (1) ........................................................................................................................................ 443
Results of them dwelling in their ceiled houses (2-11) ............................................................................. 444
Zerubbabel and the people obey and build the house (12-15) .............................................................. 448
Chapter 2 – The Glory of the Lord’s House .......................................................................................................... 450
The Second Message (1-9) ..................................................................................................................................... 450
The Third Message (10-19) ................................................................................................................................... 452
The Fourth Message (20-23) ................................................................................................................................ 453
Zechariah................................................................................................................................................................................ 455
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 455
Author and Date ......................................................................................................................................................... 475
Theme, Purpose, and Occasion............................................................................................................................. 475
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 478
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 480
Chapter 1 – Call to Return to the Lord ................................................................................................................... 482
First Vision: Myrtle trees and red horses (7-17) .......................................................................................... 485
Second Vision: Four horns and four carpenters (18-21) .......................................................................... 490
Chapter 2 – Divine presence and blessings in the work of restoration ................................................... 492
Third Vision: Vision of the man with a measuring line (1-13)................................................................ 492
Chapter 3 – Protection of God for Israel from Satan and pardon for their sins ................................... 497
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 499
Fourth Vision: Vision of Joshua the high priest (1-10)............................................................................... 500
Chapter 4 - Transformation of the character by God’s spirit ....................................................................... 515
Fifth Vision: The two olive trees and golden candlestick (1-14) ........................................................... 516
Chapter 5 - Process by which sin is to be rooted out from God’s people. ............................................... 520
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 520
Sixth Vision: A flying Roll (1-4) ............................................................................................................................ 520
Seventh Vision: The ephah (5-11) ...................................................................................................................... 521
Chapter 6 - God’s supervision on affairs of the earth ...................................................................................... 525
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 525
Vision of the four chariots (1-8) .......................................................................................................................... 525
Vision of the BRANCH (9-15) ................................................................................................................................ 527
Chapter 7 - Plea for Justice & Mercy ....................................................................................................................... 532
Chapter 8 – Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion ........................................................................................... 535
Chapter 9 – Judgment on Israel’s Enemies | Salvation for Israel................................................................ 537
Chapter 10 – Restoration of Israel & Judah ......................................................................................................... 538
Chapter 11 – God’s Punishment to the Shepherds ........................................................................................... 541
Chapter 12 – The LORD will give Salvation ......................................................................................................... 543
Reading .......................................................................................................................................................................... 543
Chapter 13 – Purging of the House of David ....................................................................................................... 545
Chapter 14 – Coming Day of the Lord .................................................................................................................... 550
Obadiah – Judgment of Edom ........................................................................................................................................ 552
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 552
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 552
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 552
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 552
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Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 552
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 553
Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 554
Judgment of Edom (Pride and Self-Exaltation) (1-9).................................................................................. 554
Sins of Edom (Against Jacob) (10-14) ............................................................................................................... 554
Day of the Lord (Deliverance/Vindication of Mt. Zion) (15-21) ............................................................ 555
Ezra........................................................................................................................................................................................... 556
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 556
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 556
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 556
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 556
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 556
Literary Features ....................................................................................................................................................... 560
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 560
Chapter 1 – Proclamation of Cyrus ......................................................................................................................... 561
Chapter 2 – Return of the Exiles............................................................................................................................... 562
Chapter 3 - Rebuilding the Templte & Altar........................................................................................................ 566
Chapter 4 – Hindrances to Restoration of the Temple ................................................................................... 567
Chapter 5 – Letter to King Darius ............................................................................................................................ 570
Chapter 6 - The Decree of Darius | Restoration of Temple ........................................................................... 572
Chapter 7 - The Decree of Artaxerxes | Ezra Teaches the People .............................................................. 574
Chapter 8 – Geneaology of those who returned with Ezra ........................................................................... 577
Chapter 9 – Prayer about Intermarriage .............................................................................................................. 579
Chapter 10 – People confess their Sins ................................................................................................................. 580
Nehemiah ............................................................................................................................................................................... 583
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 583
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 583
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 583
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 583
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 583
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 584
Chapter 1 – Report from Jerusalem | Nehemiah’s Prayer ............................................................................. 586
Chapter 2 – Nehemiah goes to Judah, inspects wall of Jerusalem .............................................................. 587
Chapter 3 – Rebuilding the Wall .............................................................................................................................. 589
Chapter 4 – Oppisition & Resitance to Restoration of the Wall .................................................................. 591
Chapter 5 – Oppression of the Poor ceases ......................................................................................................... 593
Chapter 6 – Conspiracy against Nehemiah .......................................................................................................... 595
Chapter 7 – List of Returned Exiles......................................................................................................................... 597
Chapter 8 – Ezra Reads the Law............................................................................................................................... 601
Chapter 9 – People of Israel confess their sins .................................................................................................. 603
Chapter 10 – Sealing & Obligations of the Covenant ....................................................................................... 606
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Esther ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 608
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 608
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 608
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 608
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 608
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 608
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 612
Chapter 1 – King’s Banquet | Queen Vashti's Refusal...................................................................................... 613
Chapter 2 – Esther chosen as queen....................................................................................................................... 615
Chapter 3 – Haman plots against the Jews........................................................................................................... 617
Chapter 4 – Esther agrees to help the Jews ......................................................................................................... 618
Chapter 5 – Esther prepares a banquer | Mordecai plans to hang Haman............................................. 619
Chapter 6 – The King Honors Mordecai ................................................................................................................ 620
Chapter 7 – Haman is Hung........................................................................................................................................ 621
Chapter 8 – Esther saves the Jews........................................................................................................................... 622
Chapter 9 – The Jews destroy their enemies ...................................................................................................... 624
Chapter 10 – Fame of Mordecai ............................................................................................................................... 626
Joel ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 627
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 627
Title and Author ......................................................................................................................................................... 627
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 627
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 627
Key Themes .................................................................................................................................................................. 628
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 632
Chapter 1 – Plague of the Locust.............................................................................................................................. 633
Chapter 2 - Judgment and 144,000 ......................................................................................................................... 637
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 638
The Day of the Lord (1-11) .................................................................................................................................... 638
Call to Repentance (12-17) .................................................................................................................................... 646
Promise of Restoration (18-32)........................................................................................................................... 646
Chapter 3 – Judgment on the Nations .................................................................................................................... 649
Malachi .................................................................................................................................................................................... 656
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 656
Author and Title ......................................................................................................................................................... 656
Date.................................................................................................................................................................................. 656
Theme ............................................................................................................................................................................. 656
Key Themes: Malachi’s Sixfold Wake-up Call to Renewed Covenant Fidelity .................................. 656
Outline ............................................................................................................................................................................ 659
Chapter 1 – Polluted Offerings .................................................................................................................................. 661
Chapter 2 – Covenant of Levi..................................................................................................................................... 664
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 664
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Chapter 3 – Investigative Judgment ....................................................................................................................... 667
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 667
Chapter 4 – Preparation for the Judgment .......................................................................................................... 672
Applications ................................................................................................................................................................. 672
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Foundation for Latter Old Testament History
3SM 338 Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of the
ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in
force for us. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11). "Not unto themselves, but
unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached
the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to
look into" (1 Peter 1:12).
The things in Jeremiah are more for us then in that time.
Palestine: It consists of the northern kingdom and southern Judea. Above it in the Asia Minor
region, the Assyrian Empire was there. Babylon is south east of Assyria. Northeast of that was
Media and Persia. Egypt was Southwest. Palestine was in-between these three great nations. Rome
appears around 200 B.C. But we will mainly deal with Assyria, Babylon and Egypt. See Bible map of
the time of the kingdoms.
When was Jesus born? 4 B.C. B.C. means Before Christ. Ad (Ana Domini) means after Christ. Some
say He was born in the year 0.
They use to use the Julius Calendar. The Gregorian Calendar was after 1450 B.C. Around 167 B.C.
they used the Julius calendar, and they did not have the correct timing. That is why after 1450 B.C.
he came and revised the calendar. This helped us right before the reformation, so we could have
accurate dates.
The Julius Calendar had 365 days based upon the turning of the earth around the sun. But the
minutes, hours and timing are different. They say there is a difference of five to seven minutes each
year. When you calculate that it accumulates to a 3 ½ year difference. When we compare this with
the worldly point of view they disagree with what is in the Bible.
The date of 4 B.C. is approximate. So based off of this, the fall of Adam and Eve was around 4004
B.C. EGW says in 1SG after 4000 years Jesus came after the fall of human kind. This is
approximate.Then we have Noah and the flood. Abraham is about 2000 B.C. Moses was about 1500
B.C. We say there is a 500 year gap because God told Abraham that his descendents would be slaves
for 400 years. King David – 1000 B.C. Ezra and Nehemiah who led them from the captivity of
Babylon to restore Jerusalem – 457 B.C. Ezra was about 500 B.C.
Jesus came down 4 B.C. and His life ended 31 A.D. Jesus lived in Nazareth for 30 years. This is how
we know he wasn’t born on the year “O” WE know this because in the Jewish tradition, unless you
become 30 years old, there is no way you can go out and teach people as a Rabbi. His ministry was
for 3 ½ years. Early Church began in AD 31.
Middle Testament History Review

 King Saul anointed 1043 B.C. (timeline goes to Ezra in 457 B.C. 600 years)
 The Early Part –King David 1000 B.C.
 Split of kingdoms – 931 B.C.
 Northern Kingdom destroyed – 722 B.C. 722 B.C. Samaria was destroyed the capital of the
Northern kingdom (the whole Kingdom of Israel was destroyed). It was destroyed by the
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Assyrian army.
o Northern Kingdom of Israel – 10 Tribes Jeroboam was over Israel
 Judah prolonged – 586 B.C. (approx off)
o Southern Kingdom of Judah – 2 Tribes: Judah & Benjamin (The Levites territory is in
the Northern Kingdom, but Jeroboam set up secular priests in Dan and Beersheba
and the faithful priest went back to Judah) Rehoboam was over Judah.
 Prophets before the exile –
o To Israel – Amos, Hosea
o Ninevah – Jonah, Nahum
o Edom - Obediah
o Judah – Joel, Habbakkuk, Lamentations, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah.
 To Remnant after captivity
o Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel – 500 B.C. they came out
o Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
o When you look at these books you get a background. The message differs. Haggai
and Zechariah they are talking about rebuilding Zion, the temple. Zechariah 14
especially shows this. Chapter 4 speaks of a spiritual rebuilding of our souls.
Historical Background (Dates & Location in the history of Israel and Judah)
Foundation
In Hebews 2 we learn that Jesus didn’t take the angels nature. He was made a little lower than the
angels. Through His obedience He becomes better than the angels, and all Angels give adoration to
Christ. This is the conclusion. The same is with us. We are created lower than the Angels, but EGW
says if we would have learned to obey and endure the test in the Garden of Eden we could have
become better than the angels.
Through looking at the history of Israel we see the value of human beings. If we were God we could
easily just wipe them out. Kings like Manasseh, how could he be tolerated. He cut Isaiah in two, but
they will meet in heaven.
Point/Appeal: If you do not make it to heaven, there will be a space in the heart of Jesus that no one
can fill throughout eternity. That means you are a unique person. You are the only one that could
give a certain ingredient to the praise and worship to Christ. You are valuable. Without you Jesus
will miss it throughout all of eternity. We are worthy to be redeemed that is why Jesus came and
died for us. Because He values us. This is why God put up with these apostate churches (or
Kingdoms wicked people) if someone is not your daughter you don’t love them as much as your
own daughter. You won’t sacrifice if they don’t mean a lot to you.
App: How do you treat the people that society sees as unimportant?
Point: We don’t hear much about the remnant that came out of the Northern kingdom. And some of
the people went to the southern kingdom. They escaped the captivity.
Powerful Point: So the word “remnant” began to appear in the Old Testament when the
destruction of Samaria began. We also see the term in reference to those who returned from the
Babylonian captivity. God calls them the remnant. So the word remnant has the same connotation
in Revelation. When you avoid and escape from the false doctrine, the wine of Babylon then you
become the remnant.
605 B.C. – They were besieged. Jeremiah 25 – This brings out the 70 year prophecy that Judah
would be captive for this time frame. This time frame begins on 605 B.C. And ends in 536 B.C.
586 B.C. – Jerusalem was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar
536 B.C. - The high priest Zerubbael was allowed to return to Palestine to teach the Jews about the
Torah. This was the first initiative to go back to Judah. The returning process initially began here.
Quotes:
PK 294 God’s favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience. At the foot of Sinai
they had entered into covenant relationship with Him as His "peculiar treasure. . . above all people."
Solemnly they had promised to follow in the path of obedience. "All that the Lord hath spoken we will
do," they had said. "
The prosperity of God’s church and His people depends on obedience. What is a covenant? A
promise. But in the OT a covenant is between a king and soldiers. Master and Slave. This is the
connotation. It was between someone higher and someone lower. Not between Father and Son. The
first relates to a King and his subjects. It started with God and Israel, or God and Abram-Higher and
Lower.
Location Map for Ezekiel
Babylonian Empire was the richest Kingdom that ever existed in the world. Why? Because they
were on Mesopotamia. A rich and fertile land. The land had a lot of gold mines. The gold was
common to use.
Note: In Chicago go the natural museum. You will see the Assyrian Empire department. They took a
portion of the Babylonian wall. Statue of the Lion with wings.
Let’s discuss the Northern and Southern Kingdom division.
2 Chron 11:1-4 [1] And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah
and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against
Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. [2] But the word of the LORD came to
Shemaiah the man of God, saying, [3] Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, [4] Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against
your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the
words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
At first God wanted to destroy all of the 12 tribes. But the reason why He didn’t was because of the
lineage (study!). It would be broken. And the truth of God and His commandments needed to be
restored for the earth. God needed a channel to supply the earth with. That is why God preserved
southern Judah. It was better but not that much different. They were rebellious and idolaters. It was
more likely for God to come through that lineage, and Jerusalem was there too.
1 Kings 11:36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway
before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
KEY POINT: This is referring to Judah. God was going to preserve the lineage of the kingship in the
family of David. Because God would preserve truth through this family. Because the family of David
was preserved through the tribe of Judah. In Genesis 48 Judah tried to rescue Joseph. And Judah
later said he would be surety for Benjamin. They had better potential, and knowledge of God. So
they were a better choice.
2 Kings 8:19 Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him
to give him alway a light, [and] to his children.
KEY POINT: We will see that the “true remnant" were composed of both the remnant from Israel
and Judah. (They returned from corruption and captivity) we see this in Haggai, Zechariah, and
Malachi.
2 Chron 11:13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their
coasts.
"Israel" – referring to the Northern Kingdom
2 Chron 11:14-16 [14] For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah
and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the
LORD: [15] And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves
which he had made. [16] And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek
the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
Not only the Levites, but those out of the 10 tribes who set their hearts to seek the Lord God of
Israel. They were the true remnant at heart, they had a true covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.
2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in
Samaria over Israel nine years.
This chapter shows the destruction of Samaria. Hoshea was the King of Israel at the time of their
destruction.
2 Kings 17:3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and
gave him presents.
King Shalmaneser wanted to destroy Samaria because he (Hosea) was in-between. He was secretly
allied with Egypt. He tried to flatter them both, and Assyria found out.
APP: Matt 6:24 Trying to flatter both, compromising! We can’t serve God and Satan
2 Kings 17 is the history of the destruction of the Northern kingdom. Remember this. And the Bible
tells us why God allowed it to be destroyed.
2 Kings 17:7-10 [7] For [so] it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God,
which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt,
and had feared other gods, [8] And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out
from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. [9] And the
children of Israel did secretly [those] things that [were] not right against the LORD their God, and
they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. [10]
And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
This is why He allowed them to be destroyed and allowed the truth to be carried by two remnant
tribes in Judah.
Outline of the 5 kings of Judah

These are the last 5 kings of Judah. The duration covers 53 ½ years. The order of the last 5 Kings.
Josiah > Jehoahaz > Jehoiakim > Jehoiachin > Zedekiah a 53 ½ year time period.
Resources:
Bible Dictionary
Sacred Chronology, Sylvester Bliss
The Great Empires of Prophecy, A.T. Jones
Josiah (640-609 BC)

It means “whom Jehovah heals.” King of Judah 640 to 609 B.C. Reigned for 31 years. 13th year of
his reign Jeremiah began to prophesy. 628 B.C. 12th or 13th year of his reign Habbakkuk began to
prophesy. 629-628 B.C During the days of his reign Zephaniah began to prophesy. 640-623 B.C. S
Jeremiah began to prophesy. Then Habakkuk and then Zephaniah.
PK 32 Manasseh & Josiah. 2nd Chr 34, 35; 2nd Kings 22-23:30.
2 Kings 22:1-8 [1] Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one
years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. [2] And he
did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and
turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. [3] And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king
Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of
the LORD, saying, [4] Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought
into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: [5] And let
them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the
LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the
breaches of the house, [6] Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn
stone to repair the house. [7] Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that
was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. [8] ¶ And Hilkiah the high priest said
unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave
the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
Gives us an idea of what the Lord is going to do through the king. In the first 8 verse we see a
healing of Judah, and this we see also from the name of Josiah. God is going to heal His people
through Josiah. The book of the law contains portions of the book of Deuteronomy (The book of
the covenant) – if you obey you will live, otherwise, you will die.
2 Kings 22:9-13 [9] And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and
said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into
the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. [10] And
Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And
Shaphan read it before the king. [11] And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the
book of the law, that he rent his clothes. [12] And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and
Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a
servant of the king's, saying, [13] Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all
Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is
kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do
according unto all that which is written concerning us.
After Josiah heard the words of the book, he realized that the Lord was punishing His people
because they had not obeyed. God had to fulfill His word based on the response of the people. God
cursed His people found in Deuteronomy, but by Josiah coming in, it would hold in check Gods
curses.
2 Kings 22:14-16 [14] So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah,
went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of
the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. [15] And
she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, [16] Thus
saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the
words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
They went to Huldah the prophetess. The prophetess said that everything that was written in the
book would come to pass.
2 Kings 22:17-20 [17] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods,
that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be
kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. [18] But to the king of Judah which sent you to
enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the
words which thou hast heard; [19] Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself
before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants
thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before
me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. [20] Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers,
and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I
will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
The promise to Josiah is that everything will still come to pass on Judah.
2 Chr 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God
of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high
places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
There was idolatry prevalent throughout the land
2 Chr 34:4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on
high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he
brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed
unto them
Sun worship (Baalim) was prevalent throughout the reign of the kings. 12th year of his reign –
this was the time the prophets were prophesying.
2 Chr 34:5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and
Jerusalem.
There priests were priests of Baal – counterfeit system of worship at that time. These priests were
leading the people of God into Sun worship.
2 Chr 34:6-9 [6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto
Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. [7]And when he had broken down the altars and the
groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the
land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. [8] Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had
purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the
city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. [9] And when
they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of
God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of
all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
Idolatry was being purged from the kingdom prior to this.
2 Chr 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and
Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the
Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
All these people were instrumental in the restoration of the true worship of God
2 Chr 34:28-33 [28] Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave
in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the
inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. [29] Then the king sent and gathered
together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] And the king went up into the house of the LORD,
and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the
people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was
found in the house of the LORD. [31] And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the
LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes,
with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this
book. [32] And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the
inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. [33] And
Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel,
and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days
they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
“book of the covenant” – is the same as the book of the Law. The books of Ezekiel and Jeremiah
will talk about the book of the covenant. The gift of Prophecy was given to bring about restoration
of Judah
2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned
three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah
How Josiah’s reign ended – King Jehoahaz succeeds King Josiah on the throne. He lost his life
because he want to war with the Egypt and the Pharaoh told him what are you doing this has
nothing to do with you but he went in anyway and was killed, then all the apostasy came right back.
Jehoahaz / Shallum (609 BC)

It means “Jehovah has seized.” Shallum means “retribution.” Reigned for only 3 month. Was carried
to Egypt. His name is also called Shallum 2 Kings 23:31 margin.& Jer 22:11
2 Kings 23:31-34 [31] ¶ Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he
reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of
Libnah. [32] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers
had done. [33] And Pharaoh–nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might
not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of
gold. [34] And Pharaoh–nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father,
and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
2 Chron 36:1-3 [1] Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king
in his father's stead in Jerusalem. [2] Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. [3] And the king of Egypt put him down at
Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
Jer 22:11 For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned
instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
Eliakim / Jehoiakim (609-598BC)

Means “God raises/sets up.” Jehoiakim means “Jehovah raises up.” for 11 years. Necho king of
Egypt changed his name to Jeoiakim and made him king.
2 Chron 36:4-8 [4] And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem,
and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
[5] ¶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years
in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. [6] Against him came
up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. [7]
Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his
temple at Babylon. [8] Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and
that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah:
and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
Kings 23:35-37 [35] And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to
give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the
people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh–nechoh. [36] ¶
Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in
Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. [37] And he did
that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
2 Kings 24:1-6 [1] In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his
servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. [2] And the LORD sent against him
bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children
of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he
spake by his servants the prophets. [3] Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon
Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; [4] And
also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD
would not pardon. [5] ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not
written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [6] So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers:
and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
In his 4th year of reign, Nebuchadnezzar came (606BC) #1 - Attack
Jehoiachin (598-597BC)
Jehoiachin means “Jehovah establishes”1. Reigned 3 months. Nebuchadnezzar took him at the end
of the year and made his brother king.
2 Chron 36:9-10 [9 ]¶ Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three
months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. [10] And
when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly
vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
1Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
2 Kings 24:7-16 [7] And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of
Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of
Egypt. [8] ¶ Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem
three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. [9] And
he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. [10] ¶ At
that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city
was besieged. [11] And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did
besiege it. [12] And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother,
and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year
of his reign. [13] And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the
treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel
had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. [14] And he carried away all Jerusalem,
and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the
craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. [15] And he
carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and
the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. [16] And all the
men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and
apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
(typo: V.9 says he was eight, 2 Kings 24:8 says he was eighteen.)
Ezekiel taken during this siege in 597 B.C. Ezekiel goes into captivity (597BC) #2 – Attack. (8th
year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign 2 Kings 24:12). Ezekiel began to prophecy on the 5th year of
Jehoiachin captivity. 593 B.C. Moedecai was taken captive.
Esther 2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried
away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
Jehoiachin was in captivity for 37 years.
2 Kings 25:27 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king
of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil–merodach king
of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of
prison;
Became a king in Babylon, and ate the diet of the king until he died
Jer 52:31-34 [31] And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin
king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evil–merodach
king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and
brought him forth out of prison, [32] And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne
of the kings that were with him in Babylon, [33] And changed his prison garments: and he did
continually eat bread before him all the days of his life. [34] And for his diet, there was a continual
diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his
life.
Zedekiah / Mattaniah (597-587BC)

King of Judah 597 to 587 B.C. Mattaniah = “gift of Jehovah.” Zedekiah = “Jehovah is righteous.”
Reigned 11 years. Destruction of Jerusalem – (588BC) #3 – Attack
2 Chron 36:11-13 [11] ¶ Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and
reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. [12] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his
God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
[13] And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he
stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.
2 Kings 24:17-20 [17 ]¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his
stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. [18] Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he
began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the
daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. [19] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD,
according to all that Jehoiakim had done. [20] For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in
Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the
king of Babylon.
2 Kings 25:1-7 [1] And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth
day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem,
and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. [2] And the city was besieged unto
the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. [3] And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine
prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. [4] ¶ And the city was broken
up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the
king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way
toward the plain. [5] And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the
plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. [6] So they took the king, and brought
him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. [7] And they slew the
sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of
brass, and carried him to Babylon.
2 Chron 36:14-21 [14] ¶ Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very
much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had
hallowed in Jerusalem. [15] And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising
up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: [16]
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the
wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. [17] Therefore he brought
upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their
sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age:
he gave them all into his hand. [18] And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the
treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he
brought to Babylon. [19] And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem,
and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. [20] And
them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him
and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: [21] To fulfil the word of the LORD by the
mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept
sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
2 Kings 25:8-21 [8] ¶ And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the
nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar–adan, captain of the guard, a
servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: [9] And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the
king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. [10]
And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of
Jerusalem round about. [11] Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives
that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar–adan the
captain of the guard carry away. [12] But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be
vinedressers and husbandmen. [13] And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and
the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and
carried the brass of them to Babylon. [14] And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the
spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. [15] And the
firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of
the guard took away. [16] The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the
house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight. [17] The height of the one pillar
was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits;
and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto
these had the second pillar with wreathen work. [18] ¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah
the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: [19] And out of
the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the
king's presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered
the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city: [20]
And Nebuzar–adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to
Riblah: [21] And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So
Judah was carried away out of their land.
Destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.
2 Chron 36:22-23 [22] ¶ Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD
spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king
of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
[23] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven
given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there
among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
Decree by Cyrus to return 536 B.C.
Studying Old Testament Prophecy
Intro: Preface with EGW quotes about Old Testament prophets speaking more for our time, and to
study the Old Testament.
Principles of Interpretation
PK 389 His prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah apply with equal force to the judgments
that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the time of the second advent of Christ:
Quote: She is referring to the prophecies of Zephaniah.
The law of world wide symbolized by the local. When you are reading the prophecies of Isaiah,
Ezekiel, Daniel, Micah, Joel, Amos, and Zephaniah. When it refers to literal Israel, you must
understand that at some point and time it transfers over. And we see it in the relationship of
spiritual worldwide. She is saying that the judgments that were to fall upon Judah in the prophecies
of Zephaniah have an application to the whole world. Therefore those prophecies that related
literally to a literal geographical location are now seen in a worldwide setting, which apply now to
the world. Those judgments apply to the world.
Guidelines
What to abide by when studying the Old Testament prophecies. How do you know what transfers
over? Certain points of the prophecies transfer over. But everything doesn’t transfer over because
some things the Jews have already fulfilled, and they don’t transfer over. What applies in a spiritual
worldwide setting and what doesn’t? You can’t bring everything over. Here are some examples of
what transfers over and what doesn’t.
The kingdom prophecies

They are to be fulfilled in principle and not in every detail. Not every detail will relate or transfer
over, so look for the principles that will transfer over. Many of the details of the prophecies
concerning Israel as a literal nation situated in Palestine relate to us now as spiritual Israel as the
church, and we must see it in a worldwide setting.
Time prophecies
When we talk about the Babylonian Captivity that was given to Israel, which lasted for 70 years.
The 70 years of captivity is discussed in Jeremiah 25:29, 30, but in Chapter 30:3-7 it talks about
Jacob’s time of trouble, when the Jews were put into captivity just before their deliverance. Will
there be another Jacob’s time of trouble for us? Yes, for the church. But do we transfer over the 70
years and make it spiritual worldwide application? No. Because when we talk about time no longer
in Rev 10:6 we see that there are no more time prophecies. During their time of captivity God said
live in peace, build houses, plant vineyards, don’t cause trouble, wait out the 70 years.
Jer 29:4-10 [4] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away
captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; [5] Build ye houses,
and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; [6] Take ye wives, and beget
sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that
they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. [7]
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto
the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. [8] For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the
God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you,
neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. [9] For they prophesy falsely unto
you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. [10] For thus saith the LORD, That after
seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in
causing you to return to this place.
When Jacob’s time of trouble hits us, will we live in peace and plant vineyards? No. The way you
learn this is by studying in the NT setting the teaching that relates to the OT.
Gog and Magog. Ezekiel 38, 39. God gave this prophecy to the children of Israel because He wanted
to encourage them while they were in captivity. God said I want you to realize that a day is coming
when I will destroy all of your enemies. In this promise He said Israel will bury the dead. And John
records this prophecy in Revelation 20 "Gog and Magog." This happens after the millennium when
God destroys all of our enemies. Will we go out and bury the dead? No, the fire consumes them, and
turns them to ashes. So we can’t take that portion of the prophecy that says we will bury the dead
and transfer it over.
Examine the Prophecy in its entirety. Read the whole prophecy, not a part of the prophecy. The
reason why is because you want to get the context. You must get the proper setting and note seven
specific things.
1. Who spoke the message? (Who is speaking and doing the talking)
2. To whom was it addressed? Sometimes God addresses Babylon, the Philistines, Edom, etc.
Make note of this. Sometimes He talks to Israel.
3. Why and under what circumstances was the message given? Why did the prophet give the
message? When God pronounced judgment on Babylon, He was giving it to encourage His
people to show them that one day He would destroy those who were oppressing them, and
to show Babylon one day that if they did not repent, judgment would fall on them. Get the
background information because its very important.
4. Discover what the message meant at that time. What did the message initially mean to them
at that point and time? This is very important because only as you understand it in its
historical setting will then realize what will be transferred over. You must see the
historical understanding first.
5. Observe the Conditional aspects of the predictions, and find out whether or not and to what
extent the conditions were met.When you study a prophecy, if there are conditions to that
prophecy list them out. Condition 1: Obedience, etc. Whatever they are, make sure you note
what they are.Then find out if they were met or not.
Question: When we look at the promises and prophecies that were given to Israel regarding the
kingdom and proclamation of the gospel, the condition was obedience. Did they meet that
condition? No, so the promises and prophecies transferred over.
Next we have the surest way to make sure you don’t misinterpret what gets transferred over to last
day events.
6. Discover what application a later inspired writer of the Bible, made of the prophecy. Ex.
Ezekiel 38, 39 the prophecy of Gog and Magog, John makes an application of these
prophecies in Rev 20. He quotes the prophecy. He says Gog and Magog. So you know there is
no question, that you know Ezekiel 38, 39 apply to the last days. John said it did. And we
know this because that prophecy was given with the condition of obedience. If they would
have been obedient God would have destroyed all of the wicked enemies of Israel, He never
did. He never destroyed them. It is an unfulfilled prophecy, but it will be fulfilled after the
millennium.
7. If another New Testament writer makes an application of the prophecy you know it applies
to the last days. Ex. John says in Rev 14 Babylon is fallen, is fallen. Where did he get this?
Isaiah (13) and Jeremiah (51). They understood when studying the OT, they under the
inspiration of the Holy Ghost, picked up on the terminology and transferred it over
and put it under a NT setting for a last day event application. Note: We still have to
cover typology and prophecy. This shows us certain things that have been fulfilled that do
transfer over. Certain elements do transfer over.
Unfulfilled prophecy
8. Conditional Prophecy: the prophecy of Ezekiel (chaps. 40-48) respecting the restoration of
the typical sanctuary is noticed. The position is there taken that those blessings were
offered to Israel on certain conditions, and that they belonged to the period of the typical
dispensation. And further, that, as these conditions were never complied with, the promised
blessings were never bestowed upon that people. CONDITIONAL PROPHECY is when the
fulfillment is dependent on the compliance of those to whom the promise is made,
with the conditions on which it is given.
Predictions of mere national prosperity, or adversity, are usually conditional. When the
condition is not expressed, it is implied. For all cases of this kind, the Lord has given the
following general rule
Jer 18:7-10 [7] At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck
up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; [8] If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from
their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. [9] And at what instant I shall speak
concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; [10] If it do evil in my sight,
that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Law of the significance of Bible names

Many times in Bible such as in Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Joel, etc. You will find certain
names in the Bible. And in reference to last day prophesies that apply to our time. How are we to
understand them? This principle also should be used in connection with the transferring of the
covenants, which in essence is literal local, becomes spiritual and worldwide/ The Hebrews took
great interest in giving the proper names to their children, because the meaning determined what
the name was. When studying the Bible always remember that a connection exist between names
and understanding the Bibles history and doctrine.
Many times certain aspects of prophetical interpretation depend upon the meaning of a name. For
example, when you look at the 2300 days prophecy and the 70 week Dan 9:24-27 portion. It
mentions Messiah. You must understand what that means. It brings you down to 27 A.D. that is not
when Jesus was born. That is when He became the Messiah. Jn 1:41 tells us Messiah means the
anointed one. Jesus received His name because of what it means. It means Savior. But He wasn’t
Messiah until His baptism when He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went
about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
When you study OT prophecy in relationship to last day events, names come up. Edom, Bozrah,
Idumea, Moab, Gog & Magog, Tyre, etc. What do you do with them? In looking at these names you
understand them in relationship to the final conflict, the culmination of the Great Controversy.
When these names are mentioned in last days prophecy God is emphasizing there meanings not so
much the descendents. So when you look at Edom in reference to the last days, you are not looking
specifically for the literal descendents of Esau. There are none left on the face of the globe anyway.
God is using these names in order to stress the meanings of their names in connection with how
God will judge the wicked. Or the final events of the wicked are being mentioned. The meanings of
these names must be applied especially in their last day world wide application.
Who is Edom, Idumea and Mount Seir? All synonymous. They were enemies against the children of
Israel. They aided in the destruction of Jerusalem. Edom means "red" signifying red like blood.
Bozrah signifies a vintage or "grape gathering" In order for them to get wine they had to tread the
grapes, which made everything red and it looked like blood.
Isaiah 34 depicts a great slaughter of the wicked in the last days. So the Lord uses the words Bozrah
and Idumea, which is red to describe the slaughter of the wicked. The emphasis is not on the
descendents of Esau or the literal land of Edom where they dwelt, but the meaning of the names
must be applied.
Again in Isaiah 63:1-4 Cometh from Edom "red" like blood. Bozrah is synonymous. The experience
of Jacob and Edom or Esau has its world wide application in the last days. Jacob wrestled in prayer
for deliverance from Esau this shows the experience of God’s people during the time of trouble.
Satan will influence the wicked to destroy us. (GC 616-622) So Esau is a type of those who will try
to slay us, but it should not be understood literally. The book of revelation draws its imagery from
Isaiah 34 in the destruction of all the wicked, showing that their slaughter said to occur in Edom or
Bozrah, actually symbolizes the desruction of all the enemies of spiritual Israel in the "mount of
slaughter" Armageddon at the 2nd coming. Now go to Habakkuk 3:3. What is this talking about?
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the
heavens, and the earth was full of his praise
So you are looking at Jesus returning from the slaughter of all the wicked. Same as Isaiah 63:1-4.
How would you understand this in relationship to the transferring of the covenants?
Quiz: If I say Jerusalem, before the covenant transferred what does it mean? The literal city of
Jerusalem. After? The church. If I say Israel? If I say house of God or Judah. Now if I say glorious land
God’s people located in the literal land of Palestine. End time: The church; If not you are violating
the principles of properly interpreting the word of God. Dan 11:16 "glorious land" B.C. 63. Dan
11:40 "glorious land" after 1798. IT CAN BE NOTHING ELSE. If I say Babylon? If I say Edom?
See Certa of 3rd Angels 49,
Dual Applications
PK 389 During the reign of Josiah the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah, specifying plainly the
results of continued apostasy, and calling the attention of the true church to the glorious prospect
beyond. His prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah apply with equal force to the judgments
that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the time of the second advent of Christ:
GC 32, 37
1919 Bible Handbook p285-292
The first application is limited: Locally. The second application has the fullness of the meaning:
Worldwide
Example: If there is a prophecy regarding Jerusalem. We know this will come to pass in Jerusalem.
But the first application is in partial fulfillment with Jerusalem. But the greater fulfillment takes
place at the end of the world, in reference to Gods church. The first object is an representation of
the latter.
Double Application has; 1st to be fulfilled locally, 2nd to be fulfilled on a worldwide scale in the last
days.
3SM 338 Each of the prophets spoke more for us…
The Purpose of Prophecy

What is the purpose of Prophecy in relationship to history? It is the foretelling of history in advance.
History supplements prophecy. ”History without dates and geography is useless.
Example: The Civil War

Time: 1862-1865
Location: USA, north verse south
Therefore, if prophecy is the future telling of History then prophecy must give us a Time and
Location.
Example: Little Horn

Time: After three (538)
Location: Among the Ten (Western Europe)
Jeremiah – Jah will rise
Introduction
Inspiration and Plagiarism – People argue that E.G. White had several secretaries and allowed
them to edit her writing. Always remember that prophets are human beings. When they were
ordained to be a prophet, they did not become a “superman” all of a sudden. Remember that
prophets are anointed by the Holy Spirit, yet they work as a servant and prophet of God with their
own language, ability, and expression. Many occasions you will feel like you are inadequate, that’s
how Jeremiah felt. That’s why Jeremiah said, “I cannot do this, I am only a child.” Moses, when God
called him, God wanted to teach him many things. He had to work in their own their ability.
Prophets were having time to time of adequate expressions.
Some times when people write about a subject, and find one source, and the author had exactly
same thought and insight that I was about to write. Is that plagiarizing? Simply, I am insufficient of
knowledge of language, I borrowed his expressions; but that was my thought all the way through! I
did not take his thought and get the credit. That’s why you will find some quotes in SOP having
similar expression to other books. She had very little formal education. When Ellen White received
beautiful, wonderful, magnificent visions from the LORD, with three years of education, how in the
world she could describe all those things in thousands of pages? That’s why she struggled a lot!
That’s why angel came to her and said, “Why don’t you read good books?” So she did; she read good
inspirational books, she read Christian history books, she had about 3,000 books in her library!
Would you consider that as a plagiarism? If that is plagiarism, we have to charge apostle Paul as a
plagiarist; we have to charge Revelator John as a plagiarist, not saying where he quote from while
borrowing so many thoughts from OT.
The book “White Lies,” accusing the prophet with his shallow, small understanding, is completely
non-sense. Because of his wrong understanding, many would not be seen in the kingdom of heaven.
After Sister White, wrote all these things, she brought educated secretaries. And she allowed them
to read her materials and to check the grammar and to switch with better words, make better
expressions; that’s human work. That’s what Baruch did with Jeremiah. That’s not plagiarism! You
can criticize and say what ever you want to say to my writings. But if you do that to God’s writings
and inspirations, you are going straight to the path of destruction.
Author and Title

The variety of literary types in Jeremiah. The book of Jeremiah contains various types of literature.
It includes autobiography (1:4–19), long poetic discourses (2:1–6:30), reports of oral sermons (7:1–
8:3; 26:1–9), reports of sermons delivered in written form (36:1–8), historical narratives (37:1–
43:13), messages to individuals (45:1–5), and messages denouncing foreign nations (46:1–51:64).
Since this diverse material is not presented in chronological order, the book requires readers to
know the outline of Judah’s history and theology and to be able to move backward and forward in
time. The book reports that Baruch wrote down some of Jeremiah’s messages (36:1–4, 32).
Therefore, it is quite possible that he wrote down the various types of “words of Jeremiah” (1:1) at
Jeremiah’s dictation.
Jeremiah’s difficult life. Jeremiah was born and raised in Anathoth, a small town a few miles
northeast of Jerusalem (1:1; see map). He was called to be a prophet c. 627 b.c. and served for over
40 years (1:2–3). At the time of his call he was a youth (1:6), still financially dependent on his
parents, so he could have been born c. 645 b.c., though no certain date can be established. He
became a priest and lived in an area allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (1:1), so he was possibly a
descendant of Abiathar, high priest during David’s reign. Solomon removed Abiathar from service
because of his support of Adonijah (1 Kings 2:13–26). Thus, Jeremiah was from a small town,
served a small tribe, and perhaps came from a deposed priestly lineage. He lived close enough to
Jerusalem to understand its people, their worship, and their daily activities. He was far enough
removed from Jerusalem that he was not afraid to criticize what he saw happening there.
Jeremiah did not write all 52 chapters. He wrote only 51 chapters. The last chapter is an appendix
written by his secretary, Baruch (51:64). Baruch wrote the brief summary of the history went on
during the time of Jeremiah’s ministry.
Jeremiah – Jeremiah. It means, “Yahweh establishes.” His nickname is “Weeping Prophet” or

“Prophet of tears.” Jeremiah was son of Hilkiah, the priest. Lived in a small town called, “Anadoth,”
(1:1) located in two and half miles north of Jerusalem. On the 13th year of Josiah, BC 626, Jeremiah
was called as prophet (1:1). On the 18th year of Josiah, Reformation; he was called 5 years before
the reformation. He was between 16-20 years old when he was called. “I am a child” (1:6). Child in
Hebrew is “Nar,” meaning not child, but young adult. He ministered about 40 years. He was single.
Jer 16:2.
Baruch – Secretary of Jeremiah. The son of

Neriah. Seems to be very intelligent, educated
man. Because people were accusing Baruch
influencing Jeremiah so much (43:3). Also
looking at his brother Seraiah, being a quiet
prince(quarter master, taking care of all private
affairs of king Zedekiah) tells that he comes from
very educated background (51:59). Jeremiah
asks Baruch to write and show the words to the
king. According to that, we understand that
Baruch was the one who collected and edited the
book of Jeremiah. The book of Jeremiah is,
literary is concerned, is very fine, well done
work.
Israel and Judah at the Time of Jeremiah

c. 597 b.c. The book of Jeremiah is set during the
politically tumultuous times following the fall of
the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians.
Jeremiah witnessed multiple deportations of
Judeans to Babylon and the destruction of
Jerusalem and the temple. Though the precise
boundaries of Judea and the surrounding
regions during this period are difficult to
ascertain, they likely resembled those that previously existed under Assyrian rule, with the
exception that Edom (Idumea) had now migrated to the area formerly belonging to southern Judah.
Jeremiah had a difficult life. His messages of repentance delivered at the temple were not well
received (7:1–8:3; 26:1–11). His hometown plotted against him (11:18–23), and he endured much
persecution in the pursuit of his ministry (20:1–6; 37:11–38:13; 43:1–7). At God’s command he
never married (16:1–4). A faithful preacher, he apparently had only two converts: Baruch, his
scribe (32:12; 36:1–4; 45:1–5), and Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch who served the king (38:7–
13; 39:15–18). These are the only two mentioned in the entire book who respond favorably to
Jeremiah’s preaching. Though the book does not reveal the time or place of Jeremiah’s death, he
presumably died in Egypt, where he had been taken by his countrymen against his will after the fall
of Jerusalem (43:1–7).
Many authors have called Jeremiah the “weeping prophet” (8:18–9:3; 13:15–17). Jeremiah was also
a determined, dedicated, longsuffering, and visionary follower of God. His courage and stamina
serve as examples to even the most faithful of all God’s embattled servants. The apostle Paul
certainly viewed his own ministry as being like Jeremiah’s (see 2 Corinthians 3). Thus, Jeremiah’s
weeping hardly summarizes his character.
Part of his perseverance was in the composition of the book that bears his name. It was not easy to
remain invested in the production of what is now called the book of Jeremiah, for there were
various reasons he could have given up the process. That Jeremiah and Baruch remained
committed to composing the book is a testament to their faith, as well as to the power of the Holy
Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21).
Date
It is impossible to know exactly when the book of Jeremiah reached its final form. Jeremiah
certainly died within a decade or two of the last events recorded in the book, and the same is likely
true of Baruch. Thus, the book was probably composed by 550 b.c.
Theme
Jeremiah = "whom Jehovah has appointed" & "whom Jehovah launches forth," Issues of the heart.
Jeremiah exhibits many great themes that stress God’s judgment on covenant infidelity and
worldwide sin, as well as God’s determination to restore an international people for himself
through the establishing of a new covenant.
Structure of Book (by theme)

Several references of Babylon coming from the north (1:13-16; 4:6; 5:15-17;6:1, 22-25; 10:22;
13:17-20)
God’s people come from the north (3:18; 16:15)
Chapters 1-6: Judah doesn’t know the Lord. In these six chapters you will see that God keeps
repeatedly saying over and over again my people are in a backslidden condition, and because of
that they will be punished. He doesn’t come out immediately and say it. He takes them back to the
wilderness and then in chapters 5 and 6 climax with God saying I will bring destruction from the
north. He speaks a lot about the condition of the His people’s heart. But the theme of this group of
chapters is not backsliding, not destruction coming, but God’s people don’t know Him. But the
reason why they don’t know Him is because they have departed in their hearts. And from these six
chapters God continues to unfold this scenario as we go through the chapters. You will see the issue
of the heart coming up over and over again. You will see God declaring who He is over and over
again. Why? Because they don’t know Him.
Chapters 7-10: Who God is (Who knows the Lord). So in chapters 7-10 you will see two things that
God communicates: 1.) He establishes who knows Him. Who are they? 2.) Who God is. So after you
see this trend in the first six chapters, Chapter 1 being a prelude to what God wants to say. Chapters
7-10 address and deal with the condition of Judah. So you see how they go together? In the first 6
chapters God shows look my people don’t know me. They think they do, but they don’t. So now I
will make it clear who knows who I am, and then I will tell you who I am.
Chapters 11-15: The Covenant (Obey and Live, Cursing and Blessings).These chapters deal with the
covenant that was made between God and His people. And the reason is not just to show the
agreement that was made between God and His people. But the purpose of the covenant was to
reveal Who God is. You can understand who God is very clearly by understanding His covenant. By
understanding how He distributes blessings and cursings.
Chapters 16-20: God searches the heart or God’s dealings with the heart (Based on the condition of
the heart will depend on what you will receive, blessings or cursings). These chapters are the
climax in which He deals with everything that has been previously mentioned. The issues of the
heart, blessing and cursings that come through the covenant, (He also shows this covenant in
connection with the Sanctuary.) which explains why destruction is coming from the north and why
God is doing what He is doing, and it is all centered around the heart. You can really sum up the first
20 chapters by saying how God deals with the heart of man. In this chapter you see the sanctuary
coming in as well as the Sabbath, and all of this centers around the heart. So now we can
understand more about who God is by how He deals with the heart.
Chapters 21-25: Justice and Judgment (tent) (see chapter 17- outline). The focus of these chapters is
justice and judgment. He goes to Zedekiah to show the end result of the fruit of his doings. Then he
shows the rise and fall of the other four kings. But the focus is on why they could not be kings, it
was because they didn’t execute justice and judgment. And they could not do that because they did
not know God, because their hearts had departed from God, they didn’t have the fear of the Lord in
them, so now God is going to raise up Jesus who can execute justice and judgment. The text that
unlocks these collage of chapters is chapter 21:12.
Jer 21:12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him
that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can
quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
It is like this God kept saying they don’t know me or my judgment. So in chapters 7-10 He reveals
Himself as the Creator, now in chapters 21-25. He reveals Himself a judge. It is like you don’t know
who I am, I will reveal myself through judgment.
Key Themes
Jeremiah embraced and used truths found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,
Hosea, the Psalms, and other scriptural passages. Thus, he stressed many of the great themes about
God and his people found elsewhere in the Bible. At the same time, the Holy Spirit inspired with
fresh treatments of old themes and some ideas that were new when Jeremiah penned them. The
older ideas he employed include the nature of God, Messiah, God’s covenant with Israel, human
sinfulness and need of repentance, threat of judgment, and restoration. His chief unique
contribution was his articulation of the new covenant between God and his people.
God and humanity. Jeremiah includes virtually every biblical teaching about the nature of God and
human beings. He presents God as the sovereign one who calls and equips his servant with his holy
word (1:1–19). Jeremiah claims that God alone is a living God and that he alone made the world. All
other so-called gods are mere idols (10:1–16). This Creator God called Israel to a special
relationship (chs. 2–6), gave her his holy word, and promised to bless her temple with his name and
presence (7:1–8:3).
God rules the present and the future (1:4–16; 29:1–10), protects his chosen ones (1:17–19; 29:11–
14; 39:15–18; 45:1–5), and saves those who turn to him (12:14–17). Jeremiah proclaims that God is
absolutely trustworthy; he keeps his promises. Therefore, Jeremiah assures readers that when
people repent and turn to God, his grace triumphs over sin and judgment.
Jeremiah’s view of human beings is grealistic. He claims that the human heart is sick and beyond
curing by anyone but God (17:9–10). He writes that the nations worship idols instead of their
Creator (10:1–16). Worse yet, he notes how Israel, the people with whom God made a special
covenant (see below), sinned against him. They went after other gods (chs. 2–6), defiled the temple
by their unwillingness to repent (7:1–8:3; 26:1–11), and oppressed one another (34:8–16).
Since Israel and the nations have sinned against God (25:1–26), the Creator also becomes the Judge
of every nation on the earth he created (chs. 46–51). God will not allow human sin to continue
unchecked. Jeremiah warns that punishment is coming. Chapters 21–29 probably contain the most
urgent messages of this type for Judah, and chapters 46–51 present the most straightforward
warnings to the nations. Thus, Jeremiah contributes to the OT’s teaching about ‘the day of the Lord”
(4:5–12), a term that encompasses both judgments in history such as the fall of Jerusalem and
transhistorical judgments like the final judgment. Given this situation, the prophet asks people over
100 times to ‘turn around” or “repent.” He promises that when people turn from their sins and
return to God they will receive forgiveness and healing. He firmly believes that God will renew a
repenting people, and he mourns the lack of repentance in his day (8:18–22). God comforts him
with the knowledge that repentance and renewal would eventually come (33:14–26).
Old covenant, Messiah, and new covenant. Like the other true prophets in the Bible, Jeremiah
believed that God had made a covenant with Israel. Though no brief definition can do justice to the
concept, the covenant between God and Israel in biblical context was a binding relational
agreement between God and Israel, based on deeds done by God and promises made by God, which
Israel accepted by faith in God, for the purpose of living for God as his unique people in the world.
This covenant was rooted in God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12–50). It was
based on God’s redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 1:1–20:2). It included standards of
living (Exodus 20–24) that the people who were called to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation” (Ex. 19:6) should uphold as they trusted God and lived for him. It included faith-based
sacrifices (Leviticus 1–16) and prayers (Psalm 32; 51; etc.) to deal with the people’s sins. It included
clear accountability for this kingdom of priests in the form of benefits (blessings) and consequences
(curses) (Deuteronomy 27–28).
As time passed, God’s covenant with Israel incorporated God’s promise to David of an eternal
kingdom (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). From this promise came the concept of a Messiah, which
literally means “anointed one.” Jeremiah does not mention the Messiah as often as Isaiah, but the
concept is not missing altogether. Jeremiah conceives of a time when God will “gather the remnant”
of Israel and raise up “for David a righteous Branch” who will reign over the faithful ones (Jer. 23:3–
5). When he comes, this King will be “our righteousness” (23:6). In this way God’s eternal covenant
with David will be kept fully at a time in the future that Jeremiah leaves unspecified (32:14–25).
God established this covenant with all Israel, irrespective of faith in God on the part of many
individuals. However, the only persons that God was pleased with and redeemed spiritually were
persons like Jeremiah who placed their faith in God, which was demonstrated by obedience to his
word (Hebrews 11). Such persons are part of the remnant that the Messiah will gather (Jer. 23:3–5).
Sadly, as chapters 2–6 indicate, the nation of Israel had a long history of covenant breaking.
Collectively they were not a faithful covenant partner, though Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, and others proved that covenant faithfulness was possible through God’s grace. God used
Jeremiah to deliver the good news that in future days God would “make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and the house of Judah” (31:31). This covenant would be different in one chief
respect: the new covenant partners will not break the covenant, as most of the old partners did
even though God was unwaveringly faithful (31:32). Instead, the new covenant partners will have
the word of God so ingrained in their hearts through God’s power that they will know and follow
God all their lives (31:33–34).
Thus, all the new covenant partners will be believers who are forgiven and empowered by God; he
will “remember their sin no more” (31:34). Hebrews 8:8–12 quotes Jeremiah 31:31–34 as evidence
that the new covenant has come through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The coming of
Jesus the Messiah fulfills God’s promises to Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets of a new
faithful people of God in continuity with the old people of God.
Purpose, Occasion, and Background

There is no way to determine with any level of accuracy the first readers of the book of Jeremiah in
its present state or the specific occasion that led to its being read by that audience. Most likely it
was read by persons awaiting the end of Judah’s exile and the return of God’s people to the land. Its
purpose is clearer: Jeremiah and Baruch wished to leave behind a record of the tumultuous times in
which they lived, God’s message for those times, and God’s message for the future of Israel and the
nations.
Jeremiah lived during troubled times. He became a prophet during Josiah’s reign (640–609 b.c.).
Josiah was the last faithful king in Judah’s history (2 Kings 22:1–23:27). His death (2 Kings 23:28–
30) marked the beginning of the last years of the nation of Judah. Political, social, financial, moral,
and spiritual decay led to the country’s demise within two short decades. Other prophets, such as
Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, also ministered to Judah during this time.
During Josiah’s era the world political scene shifted greatly. Assyria had been the dominant world
power since the reign of its mightiest king, Tiglath-pileser III (745–727 b.c.), though Babylon, Egypt,
and other nations had regularly challenged Assyria. In 612 b.c. the Babylonians conquered Nineveh,
the Assyrian capital, an event described in the book of Nahum. Assyria rallied with the aid of Egypt,
but Babylon completed its triumph over its ancient foe in 609 b.c., the same year Josiah was killed
fighting Egypt.
Immediately after Josiah’s death Egypt dominated Judah’s political landscape because Babylon
could not yet consolidate all the territory that had been under Assyrian servitude. Unsatisfied to
leave Jehoahaz on the throne, the Egyptians replaced him with Jehoiakim in 609 b.c. (2 Kings
23:31–35). Babylon marched south by 605 b.c., however, and Jehoiakim stayed in power only by
shifting his allegiance from Egypt to Babylon. That year Babylon took its first group of exiles from
Judah. Daniel and his friends were among the persons removed (Dan. 1:1–7). Jehoiakim rebelled
against Babylon, but died in 598 b.c. before he could suffer the consequences of his actions (2 Kings
24:1–7). His successor, Jehoiachin, who reigned for only three months in 598–597 b.c., was left to
feel the Babylonians’ wrath. Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar led his army to Jerusalem, deposed
Jehoiachin, and placed Zedekiah on the throne (2 Kings 24:8–17). Babylon again took captives (2
Kings 24:16). Ezekiel was part of this group of exiles (Ezek. 1:1–3).
Zedekiah’s reign (597–586 b.c.) was marked by decline, intrigue, indecision, and ultimately defeat.
Judah aligned itself with nations committed to throwing off the Babylonian yoke (Jer. 27:1–15)
while paying lip service to Nebuchadnezzar. Such a policy could not succeed for long. Eventually
Zedekiah’s rebellion became pronounced (2 Kings 24:20). In response, Nebuchadnezzar invaded
Judah, laid siege to Jerusalem, and sacked the city (Jer. 39:1–10). He then appointed Gedaliah, a
Judean, to be governor of Judah (40:5).
Gedaliah tried to work with the remaining inhabitants of the land, and the economy was good for
those who still lived in the land during the early days after the Babylonian army left (40:7–12). But
there were plots on Gedaliah’s life (40:13–16). Ishmael succeeded in killing the governor. He also
murdered several pilgrims coming to Jerusalem to worship and took several hostages (41:1–10).
Though the hostages were rescued, the people feared what Babylon would do in retaliation for
Gedaliah’s murder (41:11–16).
The leaders advised everyone associated with the Gedaliah episode to flee to Egypt (41:17–18).
Before doing so, however, they decided to ask Jeremiah to seek God’s will on the matter (42:1–6).
Despite his unequivocal urging that they should remain in the land (42:7–22), the people rejected
Jeremiah’s word, left for Egypt, and forced Jeremiah and Baruch to accompany them, as if they were
some sort of magic charm against God’s wrath (43:1–7). Once in Egypt, Jeremiah fulfilled his calling
to be a prophet to the nations (1:5) by preaching against Judah’s sins, Egypt’s sins, and those of
other countries, including Babylon (chs. 46–51). He most likely did not live to see the devastation
he mentions in chapters 46–51, but he certainly would not have been surprised at how world
events unfolded, given what he experienced in his lifetime.
Names of the Kings in the book of Jeremiah

Josiah
Jehoahaz – first son of Josiah. 3 months of reign. Captured by Pharaonecho.
Jehoiakim (Eliakim) – Second son of Josiah. 11 years of reign. Pharaonecho put him as a king, and
his name was changed to Jehoiahkim. First attack of Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, on BC 596, 11th
year of Jehoiakim, Jehoiahkim died. 7,000 people were taken captive.
Jehoiachin – Son of Jehoiakim. 3 months of reign. Second attack of Babylon, took him as a captive.
Zedekiah (Mattaniah) – Third son of Josiah. 11 years of reign. Nebuchadnezzar put him as a king,
changing his name to Zedekiah. Third attack of Babylon (BC 588, on the 9th year). 2King 25:1. In
two years, July of BC 586, 11th year, the destruction of Jerusalem(2King 25:8).
So Josiah’s son were really: Johoahaz, Eliakim, and Mattaniah
Gedaliah
BSM: When you read the 2 Kings, these difference names are mixed, not knowing these names will
be confused, so put this in your mind.
The Battle of Chalkemish – At this time of history, the Assyrian empire was going down. At the
time of Ashurbanipal, Assyrian king, was the golden age of Assyrian empire. But after his death,
Assyrian empire began to decline. And Egyptian and Babylonians* (Neo-Babylon – from king
Nabopolassar, the father of Nebuchadnezzar, we call it Neo-Babylon. Hammurabi was the well
known king of ancient Babylon at Abraham’s time.) were coming up, having a great conflict with
each other. At first, when Jeremiah was called (BC 626), Egyptian empire was stronger than
Babylonian power. The deciding point of Babylonian supremacy was the battle of Chalchemish in
BC 605. A prince, Nebuchadnezzar, little over 20 years old, utterly destroyed Egyptian army leading
Babylonian empire as new dominating power.
Jeremiah’s Message – As soon as he became the prophet, he started to prophesy that this nation
(Egypt) would be destroyed by Babylonians, but people didn’t believe it, and they were still trying
to have favor with Egyptians. After 40 years of his prophecy, 9th year of Zedekiah, terrible
destruction came upon Jerusalem. Zedekiah’s two sons were slain before his eyes. After that his
eyes were plucked out, and was dragged to Babylon as a slave.
King Zedekiah’s Rebel – King Zedekiah was trying to stay in favor with Egypt. Jeremiah warned
him that Babylon is coming, so he should submit to them, and not rebel against them. When
Babylon came up, Egyptians came up to help King Zedekiah, and Babylon for a while was under the
siege. In the latter portion of the life of Jeremiah he told Zedekiah that Babylon was coming. He told
him to be subject to him. The Egyptian King was about to come help Zedekiah but Nebuchadnezzar
heard about it and went and battled with them. So they didn’t siege Judah. Jeremiah during this time
was trying to go to his home town, and the people thought he was trying to escape so they caught
him and put him in the dungeon. But little later, Babylonians came back and completely destroyed
Jerusalem. And king Nebuchadnezzar heard about Jeremiah, and was impressed about his mission
and messages concerning Babylon. He heard that the Israelites were indeed wicked, but their God
appointed king Nebuchadnezzar to come and bring them to captivity; the God of Israel approved
king Nebuchadnezzar. This softened his heart in dealing with the Judeans. Nebuchadnezzar
delivered Jeremiah from the dungeon, and asked him whether he want to stay in Jerusalem or want
to go with him.
Jer 38: 6-13 [6] Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of
Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the
dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. [7] Now when Ebed–melech the
Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the
dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; [8] Ebed–melech went forth out of the king's
house, and spake to the king, saying, [9] My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they
have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for
hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.[10] Then the king commanded
Ebed–melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the
prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. [11] So Ebed–melech took the men with him, and went
into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and
let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. [12] And Ebed–melech the Ethiopian said unto
Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And
Jeremiah did so. [13] So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and
Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Jeremiah chose to stay in Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar after conquering Jerusalem went to the
prison cell were Jeremiah was and asked him this “do you want to come with me to Babylon or
remain here?" Jeremiah decided to remain there.
Kings after the destruction of Jerusalem – Before he left he selected Gedaliah to be the governor
over Judea. He was a Jewish man to be over the remnant. Johannas was another Jewish man who
incited the people against Gedaliah. He killed Gedaliah and Johannas brought many people with him
to the asylum of Egypt. They went there to ask help of Egypt. While they were leaving Johannas took
Jeremiah with them against his will. (we don’t have a clear record of this) But Jeremiah died in
Egypt. And before he died he gave a prophecy that Babylon would come again and utterly destroy
Jerusalem. Gedaliah, a Jew, was appointed as a governor in the remain land. But soon, a man named
Johannas, a Jewish, lead a group of people and killed Gedaliah. After that he, fearing the wrath of
Babylon, with many other people fled to Egypt. While he was doing that Johannas, by force, brought
Jeremiah to Egypt. After that we don’t have any record, assuming that he must have died in Egypt.
When king went back to Babylon, he meets Daniel and heart is more opened to Judeans. He met
another prophet named Daniel That is the time when he saw the vision of the image. So when we
read the accounts in Daniel 2, 3, 4 these things didn’t happen in a few days. God sowed the seed by
Jeremiah and the others. So this heathen kings mind was open and heart softened. And after this
Nebuch had a dream and saw the image in Daniel 2. God has sowing the seed in the past.
So remember that Nebuchadnezzar was 21 years old when he captured Daniel and his companions.
In 605 B.C. won the battle of Carchemish a great battle between Babylon and Egypt. During the time
of Jeremiah Assyria was declining. And king Ashurbanipal who was a famous king in Assyria. After
he died Assyria began to decline. And then Egypt and Babylon and Assyria were all fighting for the
supremacy of the world. Assyria weakened and fell away. And then Egypt and Babylon fought. This
war was to determine the supremacy of the world. Nebuch was a prince. Nebo-Polazzar was his
father. And Nebuchadnezzar went and utterly destroyed Egypt. After this Babylon became the
world power.
MS 65, 1912 Jeremiah 36 is going to be repeated in final days in this church.
After Josiah died in the battle with the king of Egypt. His first son Jehoahaz became king. He only
reigned in Jerusalem for 3 months. Then he was captured by the king of Egypt and he died in a
prison in Egypt. The king’s name was Pharaonecho. Then Josiah’s second son became king. Eliakim.
But Pharaonecho changed his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years. But
Jeremiah says in his 9th year. Nebuchadnezzar came and seized Jerusalem. This happened in 600
B.C. Babylon came and attacked for the first time. It took 2 years for them to get an opening in the
wall to capture the city. So in 598 B.C. they got in and they suffered a tremendous loss. 7,000 people
were captives of Babylon. Then Jehoiakim died in this attack and his son Jehoiachin became king.
Jehoiakim reigned 11 years. Jehoiachin reigned for 3 months too. The people made him king and
Babylon came back in 3 months and overthrew Jehoiachin. Then they took him to Babylon as a
captive. So Jehoiachin went to Babylon in 598 B.C. (Check empires of Bible prophecy, Jones). Then
Matteniah who was 21 years old became king. Nebuch. placed him on the throne as king in Judea.
Nebuch changed his name to Zedekiah. (Note: Matteniah was named by Nebuch. and the Egyptian
king changed Eliakim’s name. That is why in the book of Kings you see different names.)
While Zedekiah was king, Babylon came and utterly destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Although
Zedekiah was under the rule of Babylon, he favored the king of Egypt. When Babylon found out they
came and wiped them out. PK 36. Note: Jeremiah was called during the 13th reign of Josiah.
Jer 1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of
Benjamin:
"Anathoth" – this places is 2 ½ miles north of Jerusalem. About 626 B.C. was Josiah’s 13th reign.
This is when his calling came. He ministered for 40 years. Jeremiah’s nickname is: The weeping
prophet or the weeping of tears. From him we can learn how to love the people and agonize for
them.
Earlier, we mentioned that as soon as Jeremiah was called to be a prophet he began to prophesy
that Babylon would overturn Judea. But the people didn’t believe it. They wanted to have favor with
Egypt. Then 40 years later (the period of his ministry), at the time of Zedekiah there was terrible
destruction. King Nebuchadnezzar told his general to pluck out Zedekiah’s eyes and he was dragged
into Babylon as a slave. His three sons were killed before he plucked his eyes out. All because they
did not listen to the prophet. This happened in 586 B.C. this happened in Zedekiah’s 9th year. In his
11th year Judea was completely overthrown. Zedekiah reigned for 11 years.
2 Kings 25:1 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day]
of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem,
and pitched against it: and they built forts against it round about.
2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh [day] of the month, which [is] the nineteenth
year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of
the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
The month of July was when it was overturned. They took all the vessels, silver, gold, candlesticks
all of the items of furniture from the sanctuary were taken to Babylon. That is why we see that
when Belteshazzar had a feat with 3,000 people he used the vessels that were used in the
sanctuary. The hand appeared behind the candlesticks. Which one’s? The ones from the sanctuary.
Jeremiah was called in the 13th year of Josiah. The reformation of Josiah was on his 18th year. 5
years before this Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. Jeremiah’s father was Hilkiah. He was a
priest.
1. What was the name of the family that didn’t drink any wine? Rechabites Jer 35.
2. False Jeremiah 23:6
3. Through allowing His people to go into captivity and then bringing them out, what was God
trying to accomplish? Their fame would exceed the fame of the exodus.
PK427 Those who should choose to make their peace with God and live holy lives amid the
prevailing apostasy, would receive strength for every trial and be enabled to witness for Him with
mighty power. And in the ages to come the deliverance wrought in their behalf would exceed in fame
that wrought for the children of Israel at the time of the Exodus
4. What made Daniel so faithful in the land of Babylon? The early childhood training that he
received.
5. Two illustrations that Jeremiah gave regarding the judgment of Israel. What where they?
(Jer 25) Draining of cup; broken potter’s vessels
6. Famous phrase that Jeremiah used in prison? The word of God was like fire in his bones.
7. What are God’s plans for the messengers? Not to flatter the sinners, but to bring conviction
and show the people their sins.
PK 435 God’s plan is not to send messengers who will please and flatter sinners; He delivers no
messages of peace to lull the unsanctified into carnal security. Instead, He lays heavy burdens upon
the conscience of the wrongdoer and pierces his soul with sharp arrows of conviction. Ministering
angels present to him the fearful judgments of God, to deepen the sense of need and to prompt the
agonizing cry, "What must I do to be saved?" Acts 16;30. But the Hand that humbles to the dust,
rebukes sin, and puts pride and ambition to shame, is the Hand that lifts up the penitent, stricken
one. With deepest sympathy He who permits the chastisement to fall, inquires, "What wilt thou that I
shall do unto thee?"
8. Which chapter do we find king Johiakim burning the scroll? (She says this chapter will be
repeated in the latter days. People will burn her writings) Jeremiah 36.
9. What was Jeremiah’s message to King Zedekiah? To submit to Nebuchadnezzar.
10. What was the name of the false prophet that prophesied a lie about deliverance in 2 years?
Hanaiah
11. Give 4 descriptions of the abominations that were going on in Ezekiel 8: Weeping to Tamuz;
Images on the wall of other gods; 25 men who represented the leadership (LDP: will
happen). Worshipping the sun; 70 elders offered incense before the idols.
12. After Zedekiah sent his ambassadors to Egypt what prophecy did Ezekiel (21) give after he
heard that? No more kings will be on the throne of Judah until Christ came. He will over
turn, over turn, over turn it.
First Siege of Jerusalem

Was it 606 or 607 B.C.? – After the fall of Nineveh there was a partition of the territory that had
formed the Assyrian Empire. That part west of the Euphrates fell to Necho; the east and the
northern mountainous region were annexed to Media; and all rest was held by Nabopolassar as
king of Babylon. Thus the kingdom of Judah fell under the dominion of the king of Egypt.
Necho was not left very long to enjoy the dominion of his share of the vanished empire of Assyria. In
the year 607 B. C., Nabopolassar associated Nebuchadnezzar with himself, as king, on the
Babylonian throne. Then it was decided to add the possessions of Necho to the Babylonian
dominions. Accordingly, the same year, "in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim [607 B. C.]
king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord
gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he
carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure-
house of his god."13 Daniel was taken to Babylon at this time.
Necho, learning of this invasion of his dominion, could not allow such an assumption to go
undisputed. Therefore, "in the fourth year of Jehoiakim" he came out of Egypt on an
expedition against Babylon. He went no farther than Carchemish, however, for there he was met
by Nebuchadnezzar. While his army was at Carchemish, before the battle, Jeremiah of Anathoth
spake the word of the Lord concerning the battle, saying, [Jeremiah 46:3-12 Quoted] "Necho was
overcome and put to flight: one single battle stripped him of all his conquests, and compelled him to
retire into Egypt." -- Lenormant.15 "And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land:
for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the River Euphrates all that
pertained to the king of Egypt." 2 Kings 24:6-7 quoted.2
This overthrow of Jerusalem was predicted by Jeremiah, and immediately accomplished, B.C.606.
Jer 25:8-11
Jeremiah places this captivity in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, Daniel in the third. This seeming
discrepancy is explained by the fact that Nebuchadnezzar set out on his expedition near the
close of the third year of Jehoiakim, from which point Daniel reckons. But he did not
accomplish the subjugation of Jerusalem till about the ninth month of the year following; and
from this year Jeremiah reckons. (Prideaux,Vol.I,pp.99,100.) Jehoiakim, though bound for the
purpose of being taken to Babylon, having humbled himself, was permitted to remain as ruler in
Jerusalem, tributary to the king of Babylon.3
Sermon teachings: Baruch was an editor for Jeremiah. Ellen White also had editors for her writings.
This defends the prophet.
In order to understand all 52 chapters we must have a thorough background. There are many
different names of kings in here. We must know this in order not to get mixed up. Jeremiah = means
“Yaweh establishes.” He did not write all 52 chapters of this book. He wrote 51 chapters, and
chapter 52 is an appendix that was written by Baruch, his secretary. In chapter 52 he writes a brief
summary of the history as it was during the time of Jeremiah. Baruch’s father’s name was Neriah.
Baruch was a very intelligent man. We know this because the people accused Baruch of influencing
Jeremiah to counsel the leadership of the church/nation to gain favor from Babylon and not Egypt.
We see this in Chapter 43:3.
Jer 43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the
Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
Baruch collected and edited the book of Jeremiah. App: We can see that the same happened with
Ellen White. She allowed secretaries to edit her writings. She had both men and women. Why did
she allow them to write it? (this is what is going on in the church). A prophet is a human being.
When you are ordained as a prophet you do not become immortal. They must still work as a
prophet with their language, intelligence, and their own expressions. This does not change. That is
why the feel inadequate. Jeremiah felt this way. “I cannot do this for I am a child” he was called
between the ages of 16-20. Child in the Hebrew means “Na”ar” it means a young adult. I cannot do
this. This is how we get his age. Isaiah said this too. Moses said the same thing I cannot speak. He
lost his tongue/ language of Egypt.
Prophets had to deal with making mistakes in their grammar. When we receive illumination (we
don’t have inspiration, that is for the prophets only) meaning: When we read the scriptures the
Holy Spirit gives us an understanding of what we have just read. We have a hard time explaining it
too.
Illus: Example of having bad grammar and needing help and plagiarism. A angel came to Ellen and
told her to read good books. She had 3,000 books. She read Dubier (GC) and other books. Walter
2 Empires of the Bible A.T. Jones Ch. 27 "Captivity of Judah"

3 Daniel & The Revelation Uriah Smith Ch.1 pg.24
Ray an Adventist minister accused Ellen White as a plagiarist. Many people will not be in the
kingdom because of Walter Ray’s false understanding. That is why after she wrote all of this she
brought educated secretaries to edit her writings. They changed certain words to give a better
meaning. Jeremiah did the same thing with Baruch. Ellen White was sick a lot because this was a
way for God to keep her humble. When you criticize the words of man, it is ok, but you criticize the
prophets writings you better watch out.
Another way we know that he was an intelligent man because Jeremiah 51:59 says ‘seriah the Son
of Neriah" Seriah was the brother of Baruch, because Baruch was also the son of neriah. “Quiet
prince” means he was a corner master. He took care of the private affairs of King Zedekiah. If he did
this, he was intelligent. So if he was so was Jeremiah. This is also why he collected and edited the
work of Jeremiah. In Hebrew the book of Jeremiah is a written very well. The literature is a fine
work because of Baruch.
Jer 51:64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring
upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.
Baruch is saying that chapter 52 is not Jeremiah’s work. Up to the end of chapter 51 we see these
are the words of Jeremiah. Chapter 52 is a brief summary of the history of Jeremiah’s work.
Distinctive Features
Doctrines in Jeremiah
The New Covenant

Jer 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to
do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Fear in the Bible means obedience especially in Deuteronomy. The only difference between the
New Covenant and the Old Covenant is the attitude of the people. The requirements are the same.
The OC says if you obey my laws I’ll be your God and you will be my people. In the NC it is the same
thing. In the OC they didn’t understand their sinful condition. And they said we will obey. In the NC
we understand our sinful condition and we say we cannot obey unless you give me a new heart. God
does this through His Holy Spirit and our hearts are changed and we are able to fear God and obey
Him. It has to do with a change of heart. God does this with the finger of God. God used His finger to
write the 10 Commandments on tables of stone.
Ex 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This [is] the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was
hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said
After the plagues fell on the land of Egypt, that said this.
Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount
Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
In the OT the “finger of God” symbolizes the power of God. It was an expression of power.When God
wrote on the 10 tables of stone, it was saying that He has power to engrave these principles in our
mind.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils…
This is referring to His power. He was saying I have the power of God.
Matt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Matthew says it is by the Spirit of God. (*PO this also shows that when Christ spoke the Holy Spirit
quickened His words. Word of God is the sword of the Spirit.) So the finger of God is equal to the
Spirit of God. The working of the Holy Spirit.
Psa 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou
hast ordained;
God created the things of this earth by His finger. (*PO or through the HS)
Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
In the same context of Creation, it shows that it was wrought by the Spirit of God. (*PO meets the
objection that Holy Spirit was present at creation. All three were involved.) With this understanding
we can understand this passage.
Heb 10:16-17 [17] This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord,
I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
This is the true new covenant experience. Unless we have this experience we are not really
pardoned yet. We will only have a desire and willingness to keep His law because God wrought a
miracle in our hearts. A new heat, which is the heart of Christ. Unless we have this change we are
not pardoned yet.
(*PO This goes with what God showed me. The Holy Spirit quickens the Word of God. He sent forth
His word and they were created. This word was quickened by the Holy Spirit. The sword of the
Spirit is the word of God. DA she says when Christ spoke the Holy Spirit would bring the word
home. Find quote and study out and share.)
History of Salvation Summary

Jeremiah was called to speak to the people of Jerusalem during a revival under King Josiah and
continued to speak to them during that city’s final fall to the Babylonians. His task was to hammer
home the message that Jerusalem’s fall was not due to any lack on God’s part but was due entirely
to Judah’s unfaithfulness toward God, specifically by listening to false prophets rather than true
ones (with Deut. 18:15–22 in the background). Even this horrifying disaster, however, was not the
end: Jeremiah foretold a return from exile, an everlasting covenant, and a new covenant in which
God’s people would at last embrace the covenant in their hearts. Israel and Judah would be reunited
and finally fulfill their calling to bring light to the world.
Key text in Jeremiah
Jer 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall
serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
The 70 year prophecy (explain how you know when time prophecy is symbolic)
Jer 27:22 …I bring them up…restore them to this place
Jer 28:3-4 [3] Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S
house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
[4] And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the
captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of
Babylon.
False prophecy in regards to when God will bring them back. Notice a thread running through the
next 8 chapters
Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit
you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
70 year prophecy.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to give you an expected end.
God has thoughts of peace towards us.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Search with all your heart.
Jer 29:10, 14 [10]…return to this place…[14] turn your captivity…gather you…
Jer 30:3, 10, 18 [3] …bring again the captivity of my people [10]…Jacob shall return…[18]…bring
again the captivity of Jacob’s tent
When God repeats something, it is very important, pay attention. He is emphasizing.
Jer 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel
weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Prophecy regarding death of infants in Bethlehem.
Jer 31:4, 8, 17, 23 [4] I will build thee… [8]…bring them from the north country…[17]…come again
to their own border…[23]…bring again their captivity…
Jer 31:30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth
shall be set on edge.
Everyone dies for their own sin.
Jer 32:15, 37 [15] shall be possessed again in this land…[37]…bring them again unto this place
Jer 33:7 …cause the captivity of Judah and..Israel to return…
Outline
 Introduction (1:1–19)
o Jeremiah’s historical setting (1:1–3)
o Jeremiah’s call and message (1:4–16)
o God’s promised protection of Jeremiah (1:17–19)
 Israel’s Covenantal Adultery (2:1–6:30)
o Israel has been a faithless spouse (2:1–3:5)
o Israel can and should repent (3:6–4:4)
o Disaster is coming (4:5–31)
o Judah’s unwillingness to repent and its consequences (5:1–31)
o God has rejected his people (6:1–30)
 False Religion and an Idolatrous People (7:1–10:25)
o Judah’s improper reliance on the temple (7:1–8:3)
o Judah rejects God’s Torah (8:4–17)
o Judah lives deceitfully (8:18–9:9)
o Judah grieves Jeremiah (9:10–26)
o Judah engages in idolatry (10:1–16)
o Judah will go into exile (10:17–25)
 Jeremiah’s Struggles with God and Judah (11:1–20:18)
o Jeremiah surprised by opposition (11:1–12:17)
o Jeremiah feels betrayed by God (13:1–15:21)
o Jeremiah renewed by God (16:1–17:18)
o Jeremiah burdened by constant opposition (17:19–18:23)
o Jeremiah endures suffering and questions his calling (19:1–20:18)
 Jeremiah’s Confrontations (21:1–29:32)
o Jeremiah opposes Judah’s kings (21:1–23:8)
o Jeremiah confronts false prophets (23:9–40)
o Jeremiah opposes Judah’s people (24:1–25:38)
o Jeremiah opposes false belief (26:1–29:32)
 Restoration for Judah and Israel (30:1–33:26)
o God will restore the nation (30:1–24)
o God will make a new covenant with Israel (31:1–40)
o God will bring Israel back to the Promised Land (32:1–44)
o God will honor the Davidic covenant (33:1–26)
 God Judges Judah (34:1–45:5)
o God’s faithfulness and Judah’s infidelity (34:1–35:19)
o Judah rejects God’s word (36:1–32)
o Jerusalem’s last days (37:1–39:18)
o Judah’s futile rebellion against Babylon (40:1–41:18)
o Judah’s futile rebellion against God (42:1–45:5)
 God’s Judgment on the Nations (46:1–51:64)
o God will judge Egypt (46:1–28)
o God will judge Philistia (47:1–7)
o God will judge Moab (48:1–47)
o God will judge many nations (49:1–39)
o God will judge Babylon (50:1–51:64)
 Conclusion: The Fall of Jerusalem (52:1–34)
o Jerusalem’s fall and Zedekiah’s blinding (52:1–11)
o The destruction of the temple (52:12–23)
o The exiling of the people (52:24–30)
o The continuation of the Davidic lineage (52:31–34)
Chapter 1 – Jeremiah ordained to speak the word of the Lord
Chapter 1 lays the foundation for the book. This is the case with most of the books in the Bible like
Romans, Luke, Matthew etc.
1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that [were] in Anathoth in the land of
Benjamin:
Jer 11:21, 23 [21] Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying,
Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand: [23] And there shall be no
remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, [even] the year of their visitation
Jer 29:27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a
prophet to you? (see verse 26)
Jer 32:7-9 [7] Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy
thee my field that [is] in Anathoth: for the right of redemption [is] thine to buy [it] [8] So Hanameel
mine uncles son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said
unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin: for the
right of inheritance [is] thine, and the redemption [is] thine; buy [it] for thyself. Then I knew that this
[was] the word of the LORD [9] And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncles son, that [was] in
Anathoth, and weighed him the money, [even] seventeen shekels of silver
Note: God used the city of Anathoth to teach His people a lesson about redemption. It includes death
to our enemies and our final redemption.
1:2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the
thirteenth year of his reign
Jer 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which
backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree,
and there hath played the harlot.
Jer 25:3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that
[is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto
you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened
Jer 36:2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee
against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the
days of Josiah, even unto this day
1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah
Jer 22:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They
shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him,
[saying], Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
Jer 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of
Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that [was] the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of
Babylon; (606 B.C.)
Jer 26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word
from the LORD, saying, (609 B.C.)
Jer 27:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word
unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (609)
Jer 35:1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of
Josiah king of Judah, saying, (609- )
Jer 36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that]
this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (606 B.C.)
Jer 36:9 And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the
ninth month, [that] they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all
the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem. (605 B.C.)
Jer 45:1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had
written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of
Josiah king of Judah, saying, (606 B.C.)
Jer 46:2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river
Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of
Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah. (606 B.C.)
Cf. 2 Kings 24:6-7. It shows that Nebuchadnezzar captured the previous land that Neco
occupied.
1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the
eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem
captive in the fifth month.
Jer 28:1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah,
in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, (594 B.C.)
Jer 32:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of
Judah, which [was] the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. (588 B.C.)
Jer 39:1-2 [1] In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. (589 B.C.)
[2] [And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the
city was broken up. (587 B.C.)
Jer 49:34 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of
the reign of Zedekiah (597 B.C.)
Jer 51:59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of
Maaseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his
reign. And [this] Seraiah [was] a quiet prince. (594 B.C.)
Jer 52:1 Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven
years in Jerusalem. (597 B.C.)
1:5 I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations
Jer 4:16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, [that] watchers come
from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah
Jer 25:13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, [even] all
that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. (critical text)
Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He
that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock
Jer 36:10 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee
against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations,
Jer 50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal
not: say, Babylon is taken,
1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold,
I have put my words in thy mouth
Jer 2:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Jer 7:2 Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of
the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
Jer 9:20 Yet hear the word of the LORD,
Jer 14:1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
Jer 17:20 And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Jer 19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem
Jer 21:11 And touching the house of the king of Judah, [say], Hear ye the word of the LORD;
Jer 22:2, 29 [2] And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of
David, [29] O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
Jer 25:3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that
[is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto
you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened
Jer 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from
Jerusalem to Babylon
Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He
that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.
Jer 34:4 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee,
Thou shalt not die by the sword:
Jer 42:15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah;
Jer 44:24 Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the
LORD, all Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt:
1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull
down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Jer 18:7, 9 [7] [At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to
pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it]; 9 And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a
nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];
Jer 24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I
will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up.
Jer 31:28 And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to
break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to
build, and to plant, saith the LORD
Jer 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly
with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
Jer 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull [you] down, and I will
plant you, and not pluck [you] up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the
inhabitants of the land.
Jer 4:6 Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a
great destruction.
Jer 6:1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow
the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north,
and great destruction.
Jer 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country,
to make the cities of Judah desolate, [and] a den of dragons.
Jer 46:20 Egypt [is like] a very fair heifer, [but] destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
Jer 47:2 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing
flood, and shall overflow the land,
Jer 50:3 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land
desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
Jer 51:48 Then the heaven and the earth, and all that [is] therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the
spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD
See also: Jeremiah 3:18; 16:15; 23:8; 31:18 (God will bring His people from the north)
1:15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north It came also in the days of
Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of
Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
Jer 6:22 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation
shall be raised from the sides of the earth
Jer 13:20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where [is] the flock [that]
was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
Jer 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against
the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and
make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations
Jer 46:24 The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the
people of the north.
Jer 50:9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from
the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be
taken: their arrows [shall be] as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain
Jer 50:41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be
raised up from the coasts of the earth.
See also: Jer 25:26 [judgment on them]; 46:10 [speaking of Egypt, type of Armageddon]
1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I [am] with thee,
saith the LORD, to deliver thee
Jer 15:20-21 [20] And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight
against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver
thee, saith the LORD. [21] And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem
thee out of the hand of the terrible
Jer 26:24 Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should
not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Jer 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men
with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
Jer 39:11-12 [11] Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, [12] Take him, and look well to him, and do him no
harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee
Jer 40:4-5 [4] And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which [were] upon thine hand.
If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it
seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land [is] before thee:
whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go [5] So the captain of the guard gave
him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
From the reign of Nabopolazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s father. Babylon was known as the Neo –
Babylonian era. Meaning new Babylon. The old Babylonian king was known as Hamurabi (he lived
around the time of Abraham.). After him the old Babylonian king became weak. Then Nabopolazzar
came and then his son made it a supreme empire. This is a foundation chapter. This chapter chapter
discusses Jeremiah’s calling as a prophet, the message he is to deliver, God’s ability to perform, and
also to protect Jeremiah.
Reading
 PK 37-39
Chapter Outline
 Historical time frame for when the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah (1-3)
 Jeremiah ordained to speak the words of the Lord (4-10)
 Word of the Lord will hasten to bring evil out of the north for judgment (11-16)
 The Lord is with Jeremiah to help him speak the word of the Lord (17-19)
Time frame (1-3)

VERSE [1] The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land
of Benjamin: [2] To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of
Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. [3] It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah
king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the
carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that [were] in Anathoth in the land of
Benjamin:
“Of the priests” – Jeremiah was born in a priest family. If you were a son of the priest Hilkiah, that
meant you were suppose to be a priest. He was to become a priest. But God called him out of this
vocation in order to establish him as a prophet. (It was easier to be a priest back then).This is why
God called him early (16-20) as a priests, otherwise when he got to a certain age he would have
been a priest. At that time, priests were corrupted, there were many false prophets. So to keep him
from being corrupted he called him. By mingling with them, Jeremiah would also be contaminated
by their corruption, and wrong doings.
Lesson: We are in the last phases of the SDA church. Soon we are going to be captives of Babylon
(How? National Sunday Law: At this time we will be spiritually captive. And at this time we need
prophecy to prepare God’s people. We must tell them about the glorious deliverance of God’s
church, not to be bound by the yoke of church authority, but we must look at what God is going to
accomplish through this spiritual Babylonian captivity. We must teach our church. And in order to
do this God is going to call the young people. There minds will be fresh, and they will not be
contaminated with the corruption that is in the church among the priesthood.) In order to do this,
God is calling young people, whose mind is not contaminated by the leadership, authority of the
church, or the wrong practices of the priesthood. God is calling young people who has fresh mind,
and calling them as His “prophet.” God is calling you as a prophet. Prophet is a special function. We
can not choose to be a prophet. God has to call you. Prophet is a mouthpiece of God.
“Anathoth” – an-aw-thoth means answers to prayers. Jeremiah is in the land of Babylon but
amongst priests. A city of Benjamin allotted to the priest; Benjamin was about 3 miles (5km) from
Jerusalem, the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah. He was in the land of Benjamin He was in the city
of Anathoth
1:2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the
thirteenth year of his reign.
13th year of King Josiah (628BC), 40 years of ministry.
1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year
of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth
month.
13th year of king Josiah (start). All the way to the Babylonian captivity in the 5th month
Chose to speak the words of the Lord (4-10)

VERSE [4] Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [5] Before I formed thee in the belly I
knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a
prophet unto the nations. [6] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. [7]
But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and
whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. [8] Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to
deliver thee, saith the LORD. [9] Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the
LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. [10] See, I have this day set thee
over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw
down, to build, and to plant.
1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying
1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I
sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Objection: Does this show predestination? We don’t teach it in the truest sense like what the NT
teaches. But he does predestine us. God predestines to save everyone.
Ans: 1 Timothy He predestines everyone to come to a knowledge of salvation. But we by our own
choice decide what will happen. But God predestines to save everyone. Does God predestine all the
events in the nations? Yes The fate of the nations are in His hand. He has a plan for all the nations,
but if they go against His plans they bring judgment upon themselves. God predestined to save
everyone including all the nations in the world.
“formed thee” – Did God form us? Yes. Did God form Jeremiah to become His prophet? Yes
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called [me] by his
grace,
According the inclinations of certain beings, God decides to choose people for certain functions.
This is not in the aspect of salvation saying God was going to make him be saved, but he gave him a
calling.
“I formed thee in the belly” – God did form Jeremiah to be a prophet. How can a pot say against his
potter? But He did not destined in a way that no matter what Jeremiah does he will be a prophet.
Just like Samson, God predestined him to be a prophet, but Samson did not fulfill God’s plan. The
Bible It’s clear that God does predestinate. We cannot be against it, It’s there. God predestines to
save everybody!
1 Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Yet, by our own choice and willful practices, we can accept that predestination, or we can be against
God’s predestination. God predestines all the events and destinies of the country to be according to
God’s plan and prophecy. Yet, if they willfully be against God’s word, they bring their own judgment
against them.
“I sanctified thee” – How can a baby without his own will, can have sanctification experience?
Hebrew word “Quadash” means ‘to separate for special function.” It’s not talking about the
sanctification experience here, but rather God calling him with a special function, declaring that he
is sanctified to be a prophet.
‘sanctified thee.” Sanctify in Hebrew = Quodesh (which means I declare you to be holy for my
purpose)
It means to be set aside for a holy purpose. He is set aside for a special function.
Objection: This is a good text to show that we should not abort babies. They have a personality.
Before you were a seed I called you
1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Prophets are to speak
“Child” – youth is around 16 years old. Purpose of a prophet is to speak.
UL 83 Daniel was but a youth when carried away captive into Babylon. He was about fifteen or
sixteen years old, for he is called a child, which means that he was in his youth.”
This is speaking about Jeremiah being about the age of 15-16
1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and
whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
“speak” – ordained mouthpiece for God
1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have
put my words in thy mouth.
“the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth” – When God ordained His prophets, this
symbolic language was used. Whatever is in your heart, you speaks (Matt 12:34). Cleansing of his
words, synonym with cleansing of his heart.
“words in thy mouth” – In the OT when God ordains a prophet He always puts His had on their
mouth. This is symbolic language, which refers to cleansing His mind. And your mouth speaks what
is in your mind. So to touch my mouth means to clean my mind. The repeated word is speech,
words, mouth
Ex. Isaiah 6: We see the same thing take place
1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down,
and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
“I have this day set thee over the nations” – God is the one doing this, but through prophet. He is
God’s mouthpiece, God’s eye, God’s leg, God’s hand. When you play a clarinet, you cannot make
sound without the mouthpiece. Without the prophet, God doesn’t have any voice in this world. So
God is going to do all these things through prophet. Young people, wherever situation you are,
whatever you do, without you, God does not have His voice in that situation. What a solemn thought
to be called to work for Him! God anointed Jeremiah to do all of this for the nations. What does this
mean?
Without you I have no mouth. Without your feet I cannot walk. Without your hands I have no
actions. It is God’s word that will root out, and pull down, etc. It refers to God. But God is identifying
Himself with Jeremiah. God is saying I will do this through you. This is the office of a prophet.
Prophet means seer or a mouthpiece for God. They see first, earlier or prior to the events that will
come to pass. They foresee and prophesy as a mouthpiece for God.
Illus: Without the mouthpiece of a trumpet you cannot make a sound. Same thing in this case
without the prophet God doesn’t have a voice in this world. He will do all of this through you.
App: without me, wherever God places me, without me in this location God doesn’t have a voice in
that place. Concept is repeated over and over again. He was set over the nations in reference to him
speaking. Because of the commission he is placed above all others. Not just pull down, but to build,
same as what Paul told Timothy
This concept will be repeated over and over again. How was Jeremiah set over the nations? To
speak the word of the Lord. So by the word of the Lord was all this to be fulfilled. So because you
have the word of the Lord you automatically are placed above all others.
(PO: Shows that the ministry of a prophet is not just limited to their church or nation, but to the
nations and kingdoms of the world.)
First vision of Jeremiah: Judgment (11-16)

VERSE [11] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I
said, I see a rod of an almond tree. [12] Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will
hasten my word to perform it. [13] And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time,
saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
[14] Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants
of the land. [15] For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and
they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem,
and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. [16] And I will utter
my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned
incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
1:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a
rod of an almond tree.
“A rod of an almond tree” – Almond tree usually blossom at the end of January. When this tree
blossoms, all other trees are going to be followed by – It’s an awakener. My words are going to be
the first one to be fulfilled. There is also significant in rhyme it is used. “I showed you almond tree
(‘shaqued”), for I will hasten (‘shaque”ed”) my words.” One: An almond tree, Two: A seething pot.
Why an almond tree? The almond tree itself has a meaning and the process of the almond tree has
meaning. It has two meanings: One: Hebrew: Shaqued and Shaque’ea At the end of January an
almond tree blossoms. It is an “awakener” it is the first one to blossom. If this one is first than that
means the other trees will follow it. This happens in the region of Judea. It is not like the others. God
is saying my words are like ‘shaque” ea. When other men say something they will be fulfilled later
on. But my words will be fulfilled soon enough. As a matter of fact I will hasten my word to perform
it. Two: Rhyme. In hastening my word. His word is ‘shaque”ea” meaning hastened word.
“rod” – Used for correction (Proverbs). So God will hasten His word to correct or instruct. The word
is going to correct. This is referring to the coming of Babylon.
1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
“hasten my word to perform it” – Almond trees are the fastest growing trees. This is how the
word is going to work.
1:13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a
seething pot; and the face thereof [is] toward the north.
“seething pot” – A boiling pot. Boiling water coming down from the north. He is immediately
speaking of the Babylonian nation coming to invade Judah. Jeremiah was called around 627 or 626
B.C. During the 13th reign of Josiah. In 605 B.C. was the battle of Chalkemish. So this means 20 years
prior to the national supremacy of Babylon he started prophesying to them that they need to have
peace with Babylon not Egypt. No one would believe that because Egypt was in power. So the
leaders were trying to have peace with Egypt. Now we can see why he was so opposed. You must
speak against the visible phenomenon as a prophet. We must live according to what God says not
what it appears to be. We walk by faith and not by sight.
“the face thereof is toward the north” – in Hebrew, it means “from the face of the North.” Pouring
down toward the direction of the Judea. This indicates the invasion of Babylon. After Jeremiah was
called into the office as a prophet His first vision had two illustrations that were in reference to the
judgments that would come upon the kingdom of Judah.
1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of
the land.
Key text showing role of a prophet.
PO: Sometimes prophets of God will also discuss political affairs. Ellen White discussed the Civil
War in Volume 1 of the Testimonies.
1:15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come,
and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls
thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
1:16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me,
and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
“who have forsaken me…burned incense unto other gods…worshipped the works of their
own hands” – this is the reason.
The Lord is with him to help him speak (17-19)

VERSE [17] Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command
thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. [18] For, behold, I have made
thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the
kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the
land. [19] And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with
thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
“All that I command thee” – The role of prophet is not to mingle his own thoughts or ideas. There
are many false prophets nowadays.
Exegesis – taking the real meaning out of the word; taking the interpretation of the word itself. We
take the real meaning out of the word of God.
Eeisegesis – trying to put our own ideas and interpretation. Eeisegesis is when you put your own
understanding into it. When you think about preaching.
When you prepare a sermon, don’t ever do this: “I am going to preach this theme, where are all the
supporting texts that support “my ideas.” You collect all the supporting texts, and preach “your
ideas.” Instead, you need to submit your ideas to the word of God. Study the word of God. And let
the truth speak to your mind first. ‘this is what God is telling me! This is what God is telling to the
church!” And you preach that “realization” to the church! That’s sermon! If you do that, you will be
never exhausted with sermon materials. You just go there and study and ask the HS to teach you
and tell you what it means. That’s how you preach.
Many young preachers, they set their own introduction, contents, conclusion in their mind, and try
to utilize the Bible texts and SOP to back it up! You don’t preach God’s word that way! God said “all
that I command,” It’s not half message, nor 99%, It’s 100%. That’s straight testimony. Straight
testimony is not trying to hurt someone, It’s telling everything what God said.
“Gird up thy loins, and arise” – Go and speak – this is an action. He is going to speak about out of
the north Babylon is coming. God is sending Jeremiah to speak about judgment. Babylon is coming
from the north. Nowadays, why do we have so scarce ‘straight testimony preachers” in our church?
What is the reason? It’s because they do not receive the words from the word! They preach
according to their own mind! But God says in this verse, “Jeremiah, I am going to speak to you. And
you are going to convey “MY WORDS” to them, not “YOUR WORDS.” When you do that, they may
beat you, hate you, and persecute you. Maybe they will kill you. So, gird up your loins.” God is telling
him to gird up and give the message. All we have to do is just be there. Surrender. Give our will to
God and say, “Yes, Lord, Here am I, use me.” God is going to give you all kinds of queues, sometimes
in this way, in that way, in order to heat different kinds of people. When you hit someone, you get
beaten all the time! But that’s the job of a prophet, that’s the role of a gospel minister when you go
out there.
(PO: It seems like the Israelites would not like the message in Jer 1:16, so God commands Jeremiah
specifically to say that then he promises that He would protect Jeremiah. PA: When God commands
us to say something, He will also protect us.)
1:18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against
the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and
against the people of the land.
“I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls” – When you
give straight testimonies, you do not care what people may think of you or speak about you. The
role of a prophet is not to mingle his own ideas with what God has said. App: we have many false
prophets. They are going to fight against you. If you have a brazen face you will not care about what
people think or say.
1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith
the LORD, to deliver thee.
God is saying don’t worry I am with you. Jeremiah’s people turned against him, and he wanted stop
speaking. There will be continued opposition throughout the time of Jeremiah
Chapter 2 – Where is the Lord? (Israel’s sin)
The first 20 chapters explain why not everyone will receive the latter rain. Chapter 2 is speaking
about loosing your first love. The wilderness overview and apostasy.
Jer 2:6 Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD…
Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD…
Jer 2:27-28 [27] Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth….
[28] But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee…
Jer 2:31 …wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
The chapter begins with the Isrealites not knowing where the Lord is and ends this way also. We
can safely conclude that the results of not knowing the Lord are discussed in between the beginning
and ending of the chapter. Here are some of the results of not knowing where the Lord is idolatry
(v8, v20, v27), destruction (v14), playing the harlot (v20),
God’s deliverance from Egypt (1-8)

VERSE [1] Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [2] Go and cry in the ears of
Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of
thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. [3]
Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall
offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD. [4] Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of
Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel: [5] Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your
fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become
vain? [6] Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led
us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of
the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? [7] And
I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye
entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. [8] The priests said not,
Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed
against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
2:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2:2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of
thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was]
not sown.
“I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals” – You had your first
love but you became wicked.
“wilderness” – Timeframe after Egypt. Jeremiah is going back to after the Exodus.
(PO: Why is Jeremiah starting at the time of the Exodus and not sooner or later? This is when Israel
became a nation, when God performed all those miracles on their behalf. CA: During the time of
apostasy, let people know the beginnings of the Adventist Church, how God led us to the truth we
have, begin with the beginning. This is why history is so important, and why Ellen tells us to study
history and recommened J.N.L.’s book The Great Second Advent Movement)
2:3 Israel [was] holiness unto the LORD, [and] the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall
offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
“firstfruits of his increase” – The role they were to play was to evangelize all the nations in the
world. They were not the only fruit, they were to be the firstfruit. Connected to 144,000 of
Revelation 14.
2:4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
What is the sin that I have done?
2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me,
and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
"gone far from me" – Why have they become vain? Because they have left the Lord. What is the
result of them doing this?
Jer 1:16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have
forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own
hands.
BSM: This is a contextual application. The Isrealites have become vain because they walked after
vanity. What is the result of going far from God and forsaking Him? Burning incense to other Gods,
and worshipping the works of their own hands.
2:6 Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us
through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the
shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
"where is the Lord" – They had forgotten about the Lord’s deliverance from the Egyptians.
(PO: This verse shows the need of recounting history, and God’s leading. By recounting history we
remember how God has led us and His protection and care for us).
CA PA: For the Seventh-day Adventist Church to fufill its mission it must remember the seperation
of itself amongst other churches in 1844. The God brought this movement out of those who had
been in the 1,260 years of Papal dominion. We followed Jesus into the Most Holy Place, where no
other church went. It is only as we understand and remember this that we can be the firstfruits (Jer
2:3).
2:7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when
ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
“defiled my land” – Timeframe land of Canaan. They went from the wilderness to Canaan.
(PO: So notice this. Jeremiah reminds them of how God brought them out of Egypt, protected them
in the Wilderness, and brought them to Canaan. All that God did for them was good, yet they defiled
the land. How did they defile the land and make, God’s heritage an abomination? Verse 8 (Priest
didn’t ask where God was neither did they know God even though they handled the law, Pastor’s
transgressed, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after unprofitable things).
2:8 The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors
also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do
not profit.
"Where is the Lord...knew me not" – Where is the Lord? Also mentioned in verse 6. So the
problem seems to be that they were not trying to discover where God was (CA: Problem with the
nominal churches in 1844, was that they weren’t trying to see where Jesus was in the heavenly
sanctuary).
Forsaken the fountain of living waters (9-19)

VERSE [9] Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children
will I plead. [10] For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see ; and send unto Kedar, and consider
diligently, and see if there be such a thing. [11] Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no
gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. [12] Be astonished, O
ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. [13] For my people
have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out
cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. [14] Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave?
why is he spoiled? [15] The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste:
his cities are burned without inhabitant. [16] Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken
the crown of thy head. [17] Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the
LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way? [18] And now what hast thou to do in the way of
Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the
waters of the river? [19] Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall
reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the
LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
2:9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.
The plea, even though I am going to plea.
2:10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if
there be such a thing.
2:11 Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their
glory for [that which] doth not profit.
People left God and worshipped other gods. God is saying that even the pagan’s don’t change their
gods.
“Hath a nation changed their gods?” – Even these other nations surrounding you do not trade
their gods with other god, but you did! God is speaking to the people of Israel, but no one is really
responding to it. So God says, “Heaven, be astonished, you respond to me!” v12. He cannot find any
one responding to His sorrow. “You left Me, the fountain of living water, and you made another
cistern that has wholes!” v13.
“glory” represents God.
2:12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
He is speaking to Israel but no one is really responding. So he saying to the heavens be astonish, you
repond.
2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and]
hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
“forsaken me”
Jer 1:16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have
forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own
hands.
BSM: This is repeat and enlarage. This is the result of forsaking God. Jer 2:11, says they their glory
to something unprofitable. Jer 2:16 tells us how. Broken cisterns that can hold no water are
unprofitable. Those are the works of their own hands. Also they forsook the living water, and made
cisterns that could not hold water.
Jer 2:16 Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
God has likened Himself as a fountain of living waters. But they have hewed out broken cisterns.
Rejected God. What are the two evils? They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters.
(*PO Connects with John 4 Christ is the living water. And hewed out broken cisterns can hold no
water. They made cisterns that had a hole in it. This is the rebuke of God to Israel. The judgments
are for those who have forsaken me.)
2:14 [Is] Israel a servant? [is] he a homeborn [slave]? why is he spoiled?
Rhetorical question. Isreal isn’t a servant nor a slave, yet why is he spoiled (or land waste). The
previous two chapters tell us why. Its because they have forkasen God, and make broken cisterns
that could hold no waters.
2:15 The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned
without inhabitant.
The land is spoiled or made waste because they have forsaken God. This is what will happen when
the lion comes in. The Lion is Babylon.
2:16 Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
2:17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led
thee by the way?
It’s Isreal’s own fault that these things have happened, if was there choice.
2:18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to
do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
Why in Egypt and Assyria? – water. Why are you going after other waters while rejecting the living
waters-God?
(CA: The problems that exist in the church today are because we have forsaken the way God is
leading us. We have followed the way of Egypt which is unprofitable.)
2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore
and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear
[is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Your wrong has brought judgment
Zeph 3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
“My fear is not in thee” – The word “my fear” is same as “fear of the LORD.” In the book of Jeremiah,
you can find this several times. In the Bible, it always means “obedience.” So by forsaking God, the
fear of God is not in them.
Deut 8:6 …keep the commandments to fear Him.
Deut 10:12 …to walk in all his ways, to love Him, and serve Him.
Prov 8:13 …fear of the LORD is to hate evil.
These verses refer to the fear of the Lord. Obedience to the Word of God and His commandments.
Israel is playing the harlot (20-30)

VERSE [20] For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not
transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the
harlot. [21] Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into
the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? [22] For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take
thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD. [23] How canst thou
say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast
done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; [24] A wild ass used to the wilderness, that
snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her
will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. [25] Withhold thy foot from being
unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers,
and after them will I go. [26] As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel
ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets. [27] Saying to a
stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their
back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
[28] But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the
time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. [29] Wherefore
will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD. [30] In vain have I
smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets,
like a destroying lion.
2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress;
when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
You keep going after the idols.
(PO: Because the Israelites did not fear God, they played the harlot and committed idolatry. This
sounds a lot like the Three Angel’s message. The only thing that will keep us from idolatry is to fear
God. Verse 19 and 20 also show that when we don’t fear God the only decision left is idolatry. In Rev
13 and 14, what do those do who reject the Three Angel’s Message? They worship the image of the
beast, which is idolatry.)
2:21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the
degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
How did they do this? By playing the harlot, and not fearing God.
Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living
waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
CNA: The reason that the Isrealites became a degenerate plant is because they forsook the fountain
of living waters. The noble vine no longer had a supply of living water, and the cisterns that they
made couldn’t hold water.
2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked
before me, saith the Lord GOD.
When we commit sin, it is recorded in Heaven. Sin leaves a record KEY TEXT. Marked before God,
specifically idolatry.
2:23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know
what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift dromedary traversing her ways;
The sin is going after Baalim
2:24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, [that] snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who
can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
You are like an wild ass.
2:25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope:
no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
They say there is no hope. It shows their independence upon God.
Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord
Blessings/cursings. They have loved strangers.
2:26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their
princes, and their priests, and their prophets,
2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have
turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and
save us.
“stock...thou art my Father..stone..thou hast brought me forth" – This verse summarizes

everything in chapter 2. In V.6 it says “where is the Lord that brought us up out of Egypt”? In V.27
we see the response. It is like they are saying Where is the Lord that brought us up out of Egypt? I
don’t know…this stone brought me forth. This is my Father. They are saying to idols that they have
brought them out of Egypt.
“Arise” – They think the idols will save them. Going to idols, and saying you brought me from Egypt.
2:28 But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time
of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
The gods the Isrealites looked to can’t save them when God chooses to punish them.
2:29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
2:30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured
your prophets, like a destroying lion.
Israel won’t receive correction.
VERSE [31] O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land
of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee? [32] Can a
maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without
number. [33] Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked
ones thy ways. [34] Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have
not found it by secret search, but upon all these. [35] Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely
his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
[36] Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as
thou wast ashamed of Assyria. [37] Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine
head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
2:31 O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of
darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
"land of darkness..we are lords…come no more unto thee" – All of this happened because they
neglected to fear God. They had forgotten how God took care of them in the wilderness.
2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days
without number.
Israel is like a naked bride, maids without attire. They forget the most important thing. Their
“glory” made them special but they forsook God and turn to other gods.
2:33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
Judah was supposed to be God’s people. But they are teaching the wicked to be more wicked You
are meant to be bring the wicked to the light of God. They are teaching the wicked how to be worst.
2:34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret
search, but upon all these.
The poor have been oppressed. A key characteristic of conversion is to care for the poor, see
parable of sheep and goats, Is 58, James 1:27.
2:35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead
with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
Israel dosen’t seem to know that they are guilty before God. They have forgotten how God led them.
They forsook God which resulted in them commiting idolatry and playing the harlot. They also don’t
think that they have done anything wrong. This is the result of forgetting how the Lord had brought
them. Idoltary, harlotry, oppressing the poor, thinking you are guiltless. (PA: We must never forget
how God has led us in the past).
Jer 2:5-6, 8-9, 13, 19-20, 22-23, 25, 27, 29, 31 [5] ¶ Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your
fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become
vain? [6] Neither said they, Where is the LORD … [8] The priests said not, Where is the LORD… [9] ¶
Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
[13]For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters,
and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. [19] …know therefore and see
that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God…. [20] …thou saidst, I will
not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the
harlot. [22] For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is
marked before me…[23] How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim… [25]
…thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. [27] Saying to
a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their
back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save
us…[29] …ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD. [31] …wherefore say my people, We
are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
This verse is the second time that God says that He will plead with them in this chapter. In between
the two times God asks Isreal if they would plead with Him because they have transgressed against
Him. Yet Isreal cannot see there sin.
Jer 2:9, 29 [9] Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children
will I plead... [29] Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the
LORD.
(PO: This is connected to blotting out of sins Isaiah 43:25-26. God wants us to plead with Him so
that He can blot out our sins and remember them no more. Connect with Romans and Hebrews!)
2:36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou
wast ashamed of Assyria.
2:37 Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy
confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
You are going to go into captivity. Why? Because the different things that God is doing aren’t
helping them. So their own wickedness and backsliding must correct them, they will be spoiled by
Babylon.
Chapter 3 – Forgotten God (Call to Repentance)
Jeremiah is speaking about the sins and apostasies of Judea. He covers this in the first few chapters.
Observation: Return
Jer 3:1 …return again to me, saith the LORD.
Jer 3:7 …she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
Jer 3:12 …Return, thou backsliding Israel…
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD…
Jer 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children…
Observation: Backslidings
Jer 3:6 …backsliding Israel…
Jer 3:14 …backsliding children…
Jer 3:22 …ye backsliding children…I will heal your backslidings…
The chapter ends with the promise that if they return to God, He will heal their backslidings. This chapter is
the first time that the world return is used in the book. In Jer 2 God tells the problem and then he explains the
result. Judah dosen’t remember the Lord, and as a result they defiled the land and played the harlot. In Jer 3
Judah God is going to punish them from the north, but the solution is to return to God and He will withhold
His anger. Remember Jer 2?
Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know
therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that
my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Out of the thirteen times the word backslidings is used in Jeremiah, seven of those times are found
in Jer 3. It was God’s desire that as they see the the result of forgetting where the Lord is and
playing the harlot, they would return to God. In this sense their own backslidings would reprove
them. It was supposed to help them return to God. Jer 3 amplifies Jer 2:19, defing how Judah’s
backslidings would reprove them.
Note: If Judah returned back to God, He would forgive them and heal their backslidings.
Latter rain witholden because of wickeness (1-5)

VERSE [1] They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's,
shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the
harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. [2] Lift up thine eyes unto the high
places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the
Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy
wickedness. [3] Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain;
and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. [4] Wilt thou not from this time
cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? [5] Will he reserve his anger for ever? will
he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he
return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with
many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
Over again and again, God’s people have forsaken Him and played the harlot. God is calling His
people to return to Him even though they have forsaken Him. Notice how God contrast Himself with
mankind. Humans would have a hard time accepting someone who has commited adultery, yet God
is calling His people to return to Him even though they played the harlot.
Jer 2:25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no
hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
The result of not knowing the Lord.
3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast
thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms
and with thy wickedness.
Judah has polluted the land of Canaan with its whoredoms.
Jer 2:7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof;
but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
(PO: This is connected with Daniel 11, the “land,” refers to Palestine, where Judah dwelt.)
3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a
whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
Key text on condtions of latter rain.
“showers have been whitholden" – latter rain. God is going to identify who is qualified to receive
the latter rain. The latter rain is withheld because of the wickedness of God’s people. (PO: This is the
purpose of the shaking, to shake of the chaff, so that God can pour out the latter rain on the
righteous).
(*PO This connects with the thought in Joel 1 and 2 because the people need to have a solemn fast
and because of all their apostasies the Lord has with held the latter rain.)
“whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed” – What’s the definition of a whore’s forehead?
Refusing to be ashamed.
3:4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?
“wilt thou...my father...guide of my youth?"
3:5 Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done
evil things as thou couldest.
Will God reserve His anger forever? Surely not. This is referring to the destruction of Judah by
Babylon (v10-12).
Judah has not learned from Israel (6-11)

VERSE [6] ¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which
backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree,
and there hath played the harlot. [7] And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto
me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. [8] And I saw, when for all the
causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of
divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. [9] And it
came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed
adultery with stones and with stocks. [10] And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not
turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD. [11] And the LORD said unto
me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding
Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath
played the harlot.
3:7 And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her
treacherous sister Judah saw [it].
God provided forgiveness for the nation of Isreal even after they had forsaken Him, yet she returned
not.
“And her treacherous sister Judah saw [it]” – Judah did the exact same thing that the nation of
Israel did.
Jer 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not
transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.
(PO: This shows the influence that we can have on our family and friends. God has given us light
that we might bless others.)
3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her
away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played
the harlot also.
Key text on marriage and divocre.
Adultery is the only sufficient grounds for divorce.
“bill of divorce” – God divorced Israel the Northern kingdom, and now I am about to divorce you
too.
“Israel committed adultery” – God is saying Judah you are now worse than the Northern kingdom.
God called Judah the only remnant people of Israel a harlot. He said I divorced Israel and now I am
about to divorce you because you are worse. Was Judah Babylon? No But can you see the same
characteristics in Judah that were in Babylon? Yes In Revelation the Babylonian church is called a
harlot. The catholic church is called the Mother of harlots and the apostate churches are called
harlots. So what characteristics are within Judah that keeps them from being called Babylon? (they
have the same idol worship, and they were more wicked. They have more light but still did it, it
made them worse than pagans). HOWEVER THEY HAD THE TRUTH! The only reason why God does
not call the SDA church Babylon is because God has committed the truth to us. Even though we see
the same sins and problems in this church NEVER CALL THIS CHURCH BABYLON! Without this
church God doesn’t have a channel to preach the 3 Angel’s messages.
PO: GC two doctrines keep us apart: Sunday Sacredness and the immortality of the soul. After the
NSL our church may take the 7th day out and call ourselves Adventists. EGW said our ministers will
encourage the people to worship on Sunday.
Jer 3:16-19 [16] And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those
days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it
come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done
any more. [17] At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall
be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the
imagination of their evil heart. [18] In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of
Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an
inheritance unto your fathers.
3:9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed
adultery with stones and with stocks.
“she defiled the land” – The Israelies misued the purpose that God had in mind when He brought
them to the good land. He brought them to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof, but they
defiled the land.
Jer 2:7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof;
but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
“committed adultery with stones and with stocks” – Judah was looking to stones as if they had
delivered them from Egypt and brought them into the good land of Canaan.
Jer 2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they
have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise,
and save us.
This was the result of forgetting the Lord and how He had led them.
3:10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but
feignedly, saith the LORD.
“whole heart…feignedly" – Treacherous sister Judah. She not repent with her whole hart, but
halfheartedly.
3:11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous
Judah.
Why is Judah more guilty then Israel? Because she fail to learn from what happen to the nation of
Israel.
VERSE [12] ¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding
Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the
LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. [13] Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast
transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every
green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. [14] Turn, O backsliding children,
saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and
I will bring you to Zion: [15] And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed
you with knowledge and understanding. [16] And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and
increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant
of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it;
neither shall that be done any more. [17] At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the
LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither
shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. [18] In those days the house of
Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north
to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. [19] But I said, How shall I put
thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations?
and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the
LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will
not keep [anger] for ever.
God is explaining to them His character. Not keeping the anger forever, explaining who He is. If
Judah would yield her whole heart to God couldn’t would not led Babylon destroy Judah. The
desctruction of Judah was a conditional prophecy, dependant on the choice of the nation of Judah.
Jer 3:10 …whole heart…feignedly…
3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast
scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the
LORD.
This sounds like 1 John 1:9. God will withhold his anger from Judah if she turns her whole heart to
God. If she acknowledges her iniquity, that she has trangessed againt God, played the harlot and not
obeyed His voice. This verse defines what it means to turn to God with a whole heart, and not
feignedly.
3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a
city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Key text on the investigate judgment.
“Married to you…I will bring you to Zion” – God wants them t.o turn to Him, because they are
married. If they return with a whole heart and acknowledge their inquity etc. God will restore them
to Zion.
3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and
understanding
Key text on role of a pastor (sounds like Acts 6:2, 4)
God will give them new pastors, because the previous ones transgressed against God. These pastors
will feed them with knowledge and understanding.
Jer 2:8 … the pastors also transgressed against me…
General sense it means to know the character of God. If you repent I will bring you back to this land.
“knowledge and understanding” – BSM: Contextually a knowledge and understanding of what?

From the previous verses what did Judah need a knowledge of? See if the word or a similar word
has been used previously.
Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy
God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not
obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Judah needed a knowledge of its own iniquity, that they have transgressed, played the harlot, and
disobeyed God’s voice. This was God’s solution to the problem. God would send pastors after they
had returned to Him, to help them remember have a knowledge of their condition. As you study
Jeremiah 2, you learn that Judah had this problem. They didn’t recognize their problem. They didn’t
ask where is the Lord, but they did their own thing. Contextually we know that the pastors are
teaching the fear of the LORD (or knowledge and understanding) because it says in
Jer 3:17 …neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart…
Why? Because they were taught the Fear of the LORD.
PA: In the last days God is going send Pastors after His own heart. Who are they? Those who are
teaching the 3 angels messages. These messages will gather people out of the land of the north
(Babylon) to the land of inheritance (New Jerusalem). V.17 says gathered unto it…to Jerusalem
(God’s church), NOT AMERICA! You must stay consistent. When you looking at the pleasant land in
reference to last day prophecies, it only refers to God’s church. If you say the pleasant land or the
glorious land represents America then when would you apply that in the Old Testament? Never
does it apply to America.
BSM: This is a contextual interpretation. The following is an application.
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am]
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these
[things] I delight, saith the LORD.
God’s Character
Prov 2:3-5, 9 [3] Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; [4] If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; [5] Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. [9] Then shalt thou understand righteousness,
and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Says the same thing…
Side note: This verse makes it clear what the responsibility of a pastor is. It is the FEED the people
with knowledge and understanding. They should help them to understand the Word of God. Pastor
in the original means to pasture or feed. A pastor is the leader or Shepard of the flock.
Knowledge and understanding is the fear of the LORD. So He will give pastors that will teach the
Fear of the Lord. So He is going to send pastors that are to teach them understanding. What is that
understanding? To depart from evil.
Job 28:28 Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is]
understanding.
Now stop. Is this what Judah needed?
Jer 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know
therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that
my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
It was can evil thing to forsake God. So in this sense Judah needed to repart from this evil. Judah
also needed to have a fear of the Lord. So once again we see that God has given the pastors as a
solution to the problem’s in Judah.
Departing from evil is also the knowledge of the holy, and this is what it means to Fear the LORD.
What is the fear of the LORD? Knowledge of the holy, and what is that? to depart from evil.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is]
understanding.
So He is going to send pastors that are to teach them understanding. What is that understanding?
To depart from evil. And departing from evil that is the knowledge of the holy, and this is what it
means to Fear the LORD. What is the fear of the LORD? Knowledge of the holy, and what is that? to
depart from evil. When you learn how to depart from evil then according to the Bible you have
understanding. And this is what it means to experience the Fear of the Lord. That is why EGW says
those who have an experience in the first message will have an experience with the second and
third.
EW 261 Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were
they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the
most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so
darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows
the way into the most holy place.
EGW says only those who experience the 1st angels message will be able to experience the 2nd and
3rd Angel's message.
Note: When you learn how to depart from evil then according to the Bible you have understanding.
And this is what it means to experience the Fear of the Lord.
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do [his commandments:
Prov 1:29 …did not choose the fear of the LORD…
This means that did not choose the knowledge of the holy, to depart from evil, to keep their tongue
from evil, seeking peace, or to keep the law.
Jeremiah 3:15-17 was a conditional promise. It was never fulfilled. So it will be fulfilled during our
time. V.14 gave the condition “turn, O backsliding children." It was partially fulfilled, but never did
you see all the nations being gathered to Jerusalem after their captivity. And never did you see them
no longer walking after their evil imagination.
Jer 3:17-19 [17] Jerusalem…[18] land for an inheritance…[19]…pleasant land.
Contextually, God just called Jerusalem the pleasant land.
3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the
LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither
shall they remember it; neither shall they visit [it]; neither shall [that] be done any more.
“the ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind” – No more sanctuary, Rev
22. Praise God!
3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered
unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of
their evil heart.
God’s original purpose was to gather together all nations to Jerusalem.
“all the nations shall be gathered” – this was God original purpose
“throne of the LORD” – Jerusalem
“No more sin” – Depart from evil
Jerusalem will become the throne of Jehovah. We will discuss this later. This is the coming together.
What relationship does this have with the concept of the millennium as seen through Roman
Catholicism. True circumcision. Dan/Ephraim. Valley of Himnon (Hell fire doctrine) these things
will be discussed. Judah + Israel + All nations (v17). We have never seen this. Israel and Judah will
be remitted. All nations. So all Gentiles will also combine. This is God’s original intent. It is a partial
fulfillment of prophecy
“neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart” – We see that they
walked after the thought of their hearts. So as man thinketh in his heart so it he. Because of their
imagination, they not only walked, but spoke and did evil things.
Jer 3:5 …thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
But as the pastors were to feed the people with knowledge and understanding, which would keep
them from walking after the imagination of their evil heart. So we can safely conclude that they
taught the Fear of the Lord which is to depart from evil. We can conclude this because this is what
the Isrealites needed.
Jer 2:19 …thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee…
So if when you teach the people to fear God, you are giving them knowledge and understanding which teaches
them to depart from evil.
3:18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together
out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
Israel and Judah will be remitted.
Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be
gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the
imagination of their evil heart.
All nations, so all Gentiles will also combine. This is God’s original intent. It is a partial fulfillment of
prophecy.
“the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel” – This verse is talking about reuniting of
two kingdom. Majority of Christendom interpret this scripture as well as Micah 4 and Isa 2:1-4 as to
literal Israel. That’s why they all have different theory about “future Israel.” This prophecy has not
fulfilled to literal Israel. This scripture are going to be fulfilled not only spiritually (John 11:52, Eph
1:10) but literally. At the third coming of Jesus, Jesus’ feet will be on Mt. Olive (Zechariah 14), and
all this mountain will be scattered in four parts. And on that plain, New Jerusalem will come down.
And all the nations will come and worship Him. Whole universe is circling around the throne of God.
When God’s throne is transferred to the earth, God has to restructure whole, entire universe. And
the earth, that you and I are living in now, will be the center of the whole universe. God the Father,
Christ, Holy Spirit, with four creatures, 24 elders, 12 disciples, surrounded by 144,000 and
thousand and ten thousands of angels, redeemed hosts, will move down to a planet called “earth.” It
will be a glorious day! I want to be there in that day. When God says something, it will be fulfilled!
Note: The majority of other denominations use this text and Micah 4 and Isaiah 2:1-4 (these verses
parallel with Jer 3:17,18) as being a literal fulfillment with the present day Jews. Seventh-day
Adventists don’t believe like this. Has this prophecy been fulfilled? No
So what does it mean when it says they are coming from the land of Babylon, and that Judah and
Israel will come back together and Jerusalem will be the throne of God. We know the prophecies
transfer to spiritual Israel. But how will this be fulfilled in the future?
The Bible says that Jerusalem will be the throne of God. This is true, it will happen then. This plain
will be the throne of God. And all the nations will come to worship at that time. Point: Heaven is in
the center. And all the planets surround it. When God’s throne is transferred to our planet, God’s
throne is going to be moved from heaven to earth. When this happens God must also restructure
the whole entire universe. Then our earth is going to be the center of the universe. His whole
government will be transferred to the earth. And all of the galaxies will be restructured around
earth. This prophecy will be fulfilled literally.
Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be
established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow
unto it.
Micah is saying the same thing. Mount Moriah will be the place for Jerusalem. This is where
Abraham offered Isaac. After God intervened with Abraham, they saw a ram and that place became
the exact spot where the altar of burnt offerings were offered in Solomon’s temple. They saw the
ram in the thickets and they offered it. This became the same place were Christ died on Calvary. In
Genesis 22 God prophesied the exact location where the altar of burnt offering would be during the
time of Solomon’s temple, and the location of Calvary.
Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:
for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is represented as being Mount Moriah, Mount Olive. This is the mountain of Zion. Rev
14:1 144,000 will be on Mt. Zion with the Lamb. God’s throne is symbolically expressed as a
mountain so we can all come together and meet at the top of the mountain. Zion = Mountain in the
OT.
Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall
beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Zion is the name for Jerusalem when the presence of God is there. Many Christendom today believe
in pre-millennium (Millennium before Christ’s coming). Which came after the idea of futurism. Until
the time of reformation, no one really believed this idea, but after Jesuits persuaded futurism,
nowadays most of the Christendom hold the same idea as Catholicism.
Objection: Roman Catholic church uses this to support their teachings of the millennium. We teach
that Christ will come and then we will have the millennium. This is because of the Jesuits who
infiltrated and teach futurism and now many Christian churches believe this view. How do we
interpret this?
Dan 11:44, 45 [40] And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of
the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many
ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. [41] He shall enter also
into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his
hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. [42] He shall stretch forth his
hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. [43] But he shall have power
over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and
the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. [44] But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble
him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. [45] And
he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he
shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
In Dan 11, the king of the south and the king of the north fractured three times.
First time – King of the South literary represented Egypt and King of the North represents
(Syria/Babylon but was later conquerred by Pagan Rome) (Dan 11:4-6).
Second time – the French Revolution (Rev 11), King of the North – Papal power. King of the South
is the French revolution and the King of the North represents (Papal Rome) (Dan 11:40).
Third time – communism (Athiesm), King of the North – Revived Papal power. King of the south
represents Communism. King of the North (Papal Rome) (Dan 11:41-43).
Back those days, Papacy utilized Roman soldiers to literally overthrow the nations, but nowadays,
papacy cannot do that. They have to use politics, economics to control this.
At this time the king of south represents Egypt (or Atheism) and the king of the north represents
Babylon (Papacy). In Daniel 11 the king of the north and south changes two times. And we have 3
applications. We have the same names but different applications. The papacy during the dark ages
did this during the time because they had civil power and they utilized it, but at this time they can’t
do it that way. The papacy over throws nations by subtlety. Economic help that they have. And the
false doctrines that they teach. Because at this time they cannot use civil power to overthrow the
nations.
“But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him v44” – Message of sealing
message, the three angel’s message. It is the sealing message that is coming from the North east.
Revelation 7. (*PO The direction of where the tidings are coming from tell us what type of message
it is. Sanctuary, 3 Angel’s, etc.). This is the sealing message and the message about the second
coming.
“between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; v45” - it can be spiritually applicable to God’s
church, but the glorious holy mountain refers to specifically where God dwells. In GC she describes
these events. What is it? Can interpret it two ways: Seventh-day Adentist Church or Literal
Jerusalem. The papacy knows that the tiding out of the east and north will cause the Seventh-day
Adventist to be in the center, so the papacy is trying keep the seas = people, from coming into the
church.
Catholic’s Interpretation – Papacy interpret in this way: They think they have to establish their
throne in Jerusalem, because they see the prophecy of Ezekiel (the glorious restoration). They know
that Jerusalem is going to be the center of the earth. That’s why during Nazism, they planned to kill
6 million Jews. When they establish this throne in Jerusalem, whole nations will be in peace for
1,000 years, then Jesus will come.
Isa 2:1-4 [1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. [2] And it
shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the
top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [3] And
many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of
the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall
go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge among the nations,
and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears
into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any
more.
As Isaiah writes same description, later he gives us further information about when this will
happen. "last days" – This is referring to our time after Jesus comes. V.4 This is the same statement
that was used in Mal 4
But Isaiah interprets it.
Isa 66:22-23 [22] For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before
me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. [23] And it shall come to pass, that
from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship
before me, saith the LORD.
It will be fulfilled literally after Jesus’ comes, when the new earth is made. Not before. This means
the kingdoms will be united again. He gives the hint that in the latter days…when is that? After a
new heavens and earth is created. This happens after Jesus comes. Objection: they say before Jesus
comes the whole world will be in peace for 1000 years, then Jesus will come.
“land of the north” – This refers to Babylon for chapters 5-51. The people well come out of
Babylon and go back to Jerusalem.
3:18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together
out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
Jerusalem would have stood today – "Had God’s chosen people stood in their appointed place, as the
repositories of sacred, eternal truth, which was to come to the heathen world. Jerusalem would
have stood to this day." MS 151, 1899
3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage
of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Key text for interpreting Daniel 11 (pleasant land)
“give thee a pleasant land” – Jerusalem = Land of desire. God is raising up pastors (To teach the
fear of the Lord – depart from evil- in Jer 2 God said his people don’t fear him.) to call people out of
the north, Babylon and then call them into the pleasant land, Jerusalem. We are around 606 BC –
God is saying that this will come about. Daniel studied the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Edom,
Ammon, Moab – are escaping from the North and they join the Church.
“Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me” – So notice that there are two
different conditions for two events to take place or not to take place. What was the condition for
having the Lord turn away his anger?
Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and
hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice,
saith the LORD
So the condition of having the Lord’s anger turned was to acknowledge their iniquity. What was the
condition of God giving them a pleasant land and having the promise of Jer 3:16-18 fufilled? It was
to call God their father and to not turn away from God.
(PO: In this chapter God deals with the past, present, and future of Israel. God did not hold the past
against them, but gave them promise of a future hope. God tells them of the future hope with a
condition. Then God reminds them of there past and how unprofitable it was (v20-22).
VERSE [20] ¶ Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt
treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD. [21] A voice was heard upon the high
places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and
they have forgotten the LORD their God. [22] Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your
backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. [23] Truly in vain is
salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God
is the salvation of Israel. [24] For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth;
their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. [25] We lie down in our shame, and our
confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our
youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God .
3:20 Surely [as] a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with
me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
3:21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping [and] supplications of the children of Israel: for
they have perverted their way, [and] they have forgotten the LORD their God.
"forgotten the Lord their God" – This continues along the theme of Jer 2. Isreal has forgotten the
Lord that brought them out of Egypt to a goodly land.
3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for
thou [art] the LORD our God.
3:23 Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in
the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.
3:24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds,
their sons and their daughters.
3:25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our
God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD
our God.
The chapter ends with God telling them how to repent, what to say and what to acknowledge as
they confess their sins.
Chapter 4 – Judgment from the North
In Jeremiah he gives prophecies that apply to the future. Yes he rebuked the lives of the people and
he rebuked the apostasies and wickedness of the church, but he was always talking about the
glorious future that was coming, and he was talking about a renewing of the heart.
Good spiritual points on not allowing circumstances to crush out your spiritual life. It takes faith to
know God is in control and have a vision for your life. People talking about him and what his life, he
would not listen.
Reading
 Prophets and Kings 40-42 (Covers Daniel)
Quiz:
1. On the 9th year of Zedekiah Nebuchadnezzar came to besiege the city, but they left. And he
came back. Why did they leave? Because the Egyptians came up to help Jerusalem.
2. At the destruction of Jerusalem what happened to the Ark of the Covenant? The godly
people hid it in a cave. (EGW says it will be discovered soon)
3. Even though Zedekiah began to listen to Jeremiah and he would not obey him. Why
didn’t he? He felt like he went too far. He was afraid of ridicule. He thought it was too
humiliating after years of rebellion to say I accept the word of the Lord.
4. After Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city of Jerusalem and took Zedekiah with him.
Who did he place over them to be governor? Gedailiah
5. What was it that gave Israel strength during the reign of Solomon and David? Regard
for the law of God, obedience to the law.
6. Give the meaning of Jeremiah buying a land with 70 shekels of silver. What was the
meaning of that? (all of the land was owned by Babylon, there was no future that they
could see, why did he invest this money in land?) A promise of restoration, even though
you have been conquered. About the land: In order to give the assurance of the promise
land, God asked the people to do something, what was it? (Jer 32) God asked them to
purchase the land.
7. Give the chapter in Jeremiah that could be called the new covenant chapter. Jer 31
8. What is the Babylonian name for Daniel? Belteshazzar
9. There was one purpose in the heart of Daniel and his friends. They wanted knowledge for
one thing. What was their purpose? That they might honor God.
"his grace is given to us"…it was never a substitute for what? Effort
10. How did they become so fit for such a great position? It was faithfulness in the little things.
VERSE [1] If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away
thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. [2] And thou shalt swear, The LORD
liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him,
and in him shall they glory. [3] For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up
your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. [4] Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take
away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come
forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. [5] Declare ye in
Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and
say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. [6] Set up the standard toward
Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. [7] The lion is
come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his
place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant. [8] For this
gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from
us. [9] And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish,
and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
[10] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying,
Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul. [11] At that time shall it be said to
this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of
my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, [12] Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me:
now also will I give sentence against them. [13] Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots
shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled. [14] O
Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain
thoughts lodge within thee? [15] For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from
mount Ephraim. [16] Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that
watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah. [17] As
keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me,
saith the LORD. [18] Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy
wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
4:1 If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine
abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
“if...then shalt thou not remove” – They are in Jerusalem. If they repent they will not go into
captivity, they would have lasted until the second coming. Not be removed out of Jerusalem.
Conditional prophecy.
4:2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations
shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
“the LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness” – Truth, judgment, righteousness.
Important point consistently repeated.
4:3 ¶ For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow
not among thorns.
Issues of the heart coming up again.
4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and
inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of
the evil of your doings.
Nickname for Jeremiah: Weeping prophet/but also a prophet of heart religion. From chapters 1-52
he was speaking of a true experimental religion in their hearts. He said turn back from your
backslidings. God wants you to be truly converted. This is his main religion.
*PO Reading Report: This shows a teaching in regard to eternal torment. It says a fire that cannot be
quenched.
“circumcise the foreskins of your heart” – he is speaking to literal Jews. He is saying this should
apply to your heart. What does spiritual circumcision mean? It means to cut the sins, worldliness,
and wickedness out from your mind and heart. But the Jews didn’t have this experience. He is
saying if you don’t have this experience you are not really Jews.
Take away the foreskins of your heart. Jeremiah was a prophet of “heart religion.” All the way
through in his message, he emphasizes heart felt true revival experience. Circumcise in your heart!
Circumcision means “cut the sins and wickedness and worldliness out from your mind and heart.”
Jer 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,
and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Jer 9:26 for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the
heart.
Jer 31:31-33 [31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with
their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: [33] But this shall be the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law
in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Israelites claimed the promise of Jer 31:37 that they will not be cast off, but they forgot the
conditions laid in verse 31-33. Without having new covenant and inward circumcision experience,
they are not God’s people.
New covenant. Heb 10 – In order to have the character of Christ, we need to have law written in
our heart. New covenant is not just forgiveness from the cross. We are forgiven to obey the law of
God. Difference between Old and New Covenant: they both have same requirement (Obey God’s
law).
Old Covenant – In old covenant, they were not able to, because they were not converted. Yet
because of their fear they said “we” will obey it, and they couldn’t – the experience of Rom 7.
New Covenant – In New covenant, they understand their weakness and they pray. By the power of
the HS, they have conversion experience, and receive the mind of Christ. Now, they want to obey
God’s law. New heart is given, and God wrote the ten commandments not on the table of stone, but
in their heart and mind. Ps 119 “I am delighted to do thy law.” The only difference between Old and
New covenant is the heart of the believer.
4:5 Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather
together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
4:6 Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great
destruction.
“evil from the north” – God teaches us how we can deal with backslidden people. Chapter 1 is the
first place this is mentioned this is the second time it is used. God’s people here are backslidden.
This is the same condition we have in the church right now, this is a picture of how to deal with
them. He worked with the memory first then he moved into say what is going to happen.
4:7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth
from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
“Lion is coming from the North” – Lion from the north represents Babylon
Jer 25:9
4:8 For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back
from us.
4:9 And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the
heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
4:10 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye
shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
4:11 At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the
wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
4:12 Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
4:13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter
than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
Key text for wings of eagles represent swiftness.
Dan 7:1-10 [1] In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his
head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. [2] Daniel spake and
said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
[3] And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. [4] The first was like a lion,
and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the
earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. [5] And behold
another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the
mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. [6] After this
I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast
had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. [7] After this I saw in the night visions, and behold
a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured
and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts
that were before it; and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up
among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the
roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. [9]
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as
snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels
as burning fire. [10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands
ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set,
and the books were opened.
4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain
thoughts lodge within thee?
Cut away your wickedness, sins, and worldliness away from your mind and heart. This is true
circumcision. Paul used it to describe the true Israelites
Rom 2:29 But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the
spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God." This is referring to heart
circumcision.
Jer 9:26 …for all [these] nations [are] uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel [are] uncircumcised
in the heart.
This is what Jeremiah is. The Jews claimed these 3 verses and said he will not cast us off, but this
promise was conditional. They were to experience a new heart. In the NT Hebrews 10 – shows this.
In order for us to have the character of Jesus, we must have the law written in our mind. (Objection:
People say the NC is receiving forgiveness at the cross. No: we are forgiven to obey the law of God.
This is the new covenant.) What is the difference between the new covenant and the old covenant?
They both have the same requirements. The Old Covenant says you obey God’s law. If you obey it I
will become your God and you will be my people. In the New Covenant is say the same thing. But in
the old covenant they were not able to keep it because they were not converted, but out of fear they
said I will do it. But they didn’t and couldn’t. In Romans 8:7 neither indeed can be. But in the New
Covenant they realize their weakness and feebleness. They pray and through the HS they have a
conversion experience. And they receive the mind of Christ and want to obey the law because a new
heart was given. And through the HS God wrote the 10 commandments in their mind and thoughts.
And they are delighted to obey His law. The difference of both lies within the heart of the believer.
The new man has a new covenant experience by the HS and he wants to obey because the law is
written in his mind by the HS. This is heart circumcision.
4:15 For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
"For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim" – Many times
in the OT the Northern Kingdom was referred to as Ephraim. Why? The northern tribe was
annihilated so bad to the extent that the tribe of Ephraim became the major tribe. So they took on
the name of Ephraim. Northern Israel was often called as Ephraim. It was because the tribe of
Ephraim was a major, largest tribe which was a leading factor of apostasy. Ephraim was the largest
tribe. And they were the major factor that caused the rest of the tribes to fall into apostasy.
(*PO gives more details as to why Ephraim is not numbered in Rev 7.)
Southern Israel was called as “Judah.” It was because the kingdom of Judah was the dominating
tribe, which was so sincere and faithful to the throne of David. Judah was faithful to the throne of
David and his reign. The southern kingdom consisted of Benjamin, Judah, the faithful people who
left the northern kingdom and the faithful Levites from the northern kingdom. But God still called
them Judah. Because Judah was the dominating factor that stayed faithful in the southern kingdom.
This is the same with the northern kingdom. They led out in apostasy so they were called Ephraim.
4:16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far
country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
4:17 As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against
me, saith the LORD.
4:18 Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is
bitter, becase it reacheth unto thine heart.
[19] My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot
hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. [20]
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled,
and my curtains in a moment. [21] How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the
trumpet? [22] For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they
have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. [23] I
beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. [24]
I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. [25] I beheld, and, lo,
there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. [26] I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place
was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by
his fierce anger. [27] For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not
make a full end. [28] For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have
spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it. [29] The whole
city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up
upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein. [30] And when thou art
spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee
with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself
fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. [31] For I have heard a voice as of a woman
in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of
Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is
wearied because of murderers.
4:19 ¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot
hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
This is speaking about pain in the heart of Jeremiah. When he saw the apostasy and wickedness in
the church. He began to have literal pain in his bowels.
Par: We are to have this kind of passion for our church. When we have this we can really preach the
straight testimony.
He had the wrong attitude and wrong heart. If you are looking and pointing and laughing to see
them in apostasy, let’s get them, you will harden people, you will drive them away. Be careful. Jesus
preached the truth with tears in His voice.
“I am pained at my very heart” – This is Jeremiah’s pain against the apostasy. When we have this
kind of compassion and sympathy for people, we can really preach straight testimonies. When we
point out other’s apostasy and point out their sins, you can either lead them to repentance or can
shut their heart. Same message but it depends on what kind of heart you have. Without this
compassionate heart, you will hurt the church, you will drive them away from the truth. You have to
be careful! You are going to literally shut their heart, and you will harden their heart. More you
preach pointed message, more love, more compassion is needed. That’s why Jesus had tears and
trembling voice when he gave pointed messages.
4:20 Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled,
and my curtains in a moment.
4:21 How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none
understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
"people…have not known me" – Chap 5:3, 4, Chap 2-5. They don’t know the Lord.
4:23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
4:24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
4:25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
4:26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at
the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
4:27 For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have
purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
4:29 The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and
climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though
thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou
make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
4:31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her
first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying,
Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
Chapter 5 – Jerusalem refused to Repent
5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad
places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I
will pardon it.
5:2 And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
5:3 O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou
hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder
than a rock; they have refused to return.
"refused to receive correction"
5:4 Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor
the judgment of their God.
"know not the way of the Lord...judgment of their God"
5:5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD,
and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
“the great man know the Lord” – This verse shows who knows the Lord. They are the great men.
So you have two groups in Judah (the church). Those who know and those who don’t know. This
verse will be enlarged in chapters 7-10.
5:6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a
leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because
their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
"lion out of the forest…because their transgressions…backslidings" – Can you see how this
verse makes it clear why they are being punished? Because they know not the Lord.
5:7 ¶ How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no
gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops
in the harlots' houses.
5:8 They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
5:9 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation
as this?
5:10 ¶ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they
are not the LORD'S.
5:11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the
LORD.
5:12 They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we
see sword nor famine:
5:13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
5:14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my
words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it
is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
5:16 Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.
5:17 And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat:
they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall
impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.
5:18 Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
5:19 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things
unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your
land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
5:20 Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which
have ears, and hear not:
"without understanding"
5:22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for
the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss
themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
5:23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former
and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
5:25 ¶ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from
you.
5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap,
they catch men.
5:27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and
waxen rich.
5:28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause,
the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
5:29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as
this?
5:30 ¶ A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have
it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Chapter 6 – Coming Judgment on Jerusalem
This chapter climaxes with the judgment that will be pronounced on the people.
6:1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the
trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth–haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and
great destruction.
6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
Key text on a who the church is.
6:3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her; they shall pitch their tents against her round
about; they shall feed every one in his place.
6:4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for
the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
6:5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
6:6 ¶ For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this
is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
6:7 As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in
her; before me continually is grief and wounds.
6:8 Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not
inhabited.
6:9 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back
thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.
6:10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised,
and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in
it.
6:11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the
children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall
be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
6:12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch
out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and
from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when
there is no peace.
6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed,
neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they
shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will
not hearken.
"we will not hearken"
6:18 ¶ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
6:19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because
they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
This verse is critical you will see why he is using this language in chapter 17.
6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country?
your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
6:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers
and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
6:22 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be
raised from the sides of the earth.
6:23 They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the
sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
6:24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as
of a woman in travail.
6:25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
6:26 ¶ O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee
mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
6:27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their
way.
6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all
corrupters.
6:29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked
are not plucked away.
6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
Chapter 7 – Shock Treatment | Evil in the Land
Now we enter into the next section. Who is the Lord, and who knows Him? In this section we will
cover the doctrine of Hell’s fire from Jeremiah. The belief of eternal punishment. It is discussed very
heavily in Jeremiah. People will use this against you, you must be able to prove what is truth.
VERSE [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, [2] Stand in the gate of the
Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that
enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. [3] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel,
Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. [4] Trust ye not in
lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are
these. [5] For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment
between a man and his neighbour; [6] If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow,
and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: [7] Then will I
cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. [8] Behold,
ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. [9] Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear
falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; [10] And come
and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all
these abominations? [11] Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in
your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. [12] But go ye now unto my place which was
in Shiloh,* where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people
Israel. [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, [2] Stand in the gate of the Lord’s
house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter
in at these gates to worship the LORD. [3] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend
your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. [4] Trust ye not in lying
words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.
[5] For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment
between a man and his neighbour; [6] If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow,
and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: [7] Then will I
cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. [8] Behold,
ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. [9] Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear
falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; [10] And come
and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all
these abominations? [11] Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in
your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. [12] But go ye now unto my place which was
in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people
Israel. [13] And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you,
rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; [14]
Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the
place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. [15] And I will cast you out of
my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. [16] Therefore pray
not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for
I will not hear thee. [17] Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of
Jerusalem? [18] The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead
their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods,
that they may provoke me to anger. [19] Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not
provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? [20] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD;
Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and
upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be
quenched. [21] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your
sacrifices, and eat flesh. [22] For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that
I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: [23] But this thing
commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and
walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. [24] But they
hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil
heart, and went backward, and not forward. [25] Since the day that your fathers came forth out of
the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising
up early and sending them: [26] Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but
hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. [27] Therefore thou shalt speak all these
words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not
answer thee. [28] But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the
LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. [29] Cut
off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD
hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. [30] For the children of Judah have done
evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my
name, to pollute it. [31] And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the
son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not,
neither came it into my heart. [32] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no
more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall
bury in Tophet, till there be no place. [33] And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls
of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. [34] Then will I cause
to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice
of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate
7:1 The word that came to from the LORD, saying,
7:2 Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the
LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
7:3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause
you to dwell in this place.
7:4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of
the LORD, are these.
There is a lay about the Temple.
7:5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a
man and his neighbour;
7:6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this
place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
7:7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
7:8 ¶ Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
There is a problem with the understanding of the Temple. Breaking of the ten commandments will
result in desolation and destruction.
7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk
after other gods whom ye know not;
Commandments, breaking of the ten commandments. The were breaking them but going into the
temple and trusting in the temple.
7:10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered
to do all these abominations?
Same thought that they don’t know Him. They are breaking the commandments and saying we are
delivered we are free to do this. The rest of the chapter is primarily dealing with God visiting for all
of these things..etc. But he is climaxing.
7:11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have
seen it, saith the LORD.
7:12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I
did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
S/H: If you were to preach from these first 12 verses what would be the title of the sermon? (You
title is the focus or the climax or the conclusion of your sermon.)
“shiloh” – the experience of Eli (losing of battle, death of priests, and taken away of the ark).
“shock Treatment" – That is the theme of this chapter. When you study the Bible. How do you find
out the major theme and focus of a chapter. Read a passage over and over until you can close your
eyes and understand it. (either one, two, or three chapters or a half of chapter. This will help you be
a good exegesis preacher not Isigesis. You will have no depth if you are a preacher like that). Read it
over and over until the passage speaks to you. There will be a portion that cries out to you.
Everyone has different understandings and emotions. The context will cry out according to your
own experience and feelings. But the truth and principles are there, the way you apply it to your life
is different from how you would apply it to the church. You must have your own personality. Be
yourself.
Sermon Title: Lying Words, Don’t You Believe It! Why? Because what God tells Jeremiah to do is
shock treatment. Go to the temple on Sabbath morning and cry out….this is not God’s temple,
robbers are in here. Don’t believe these lying words. We see the same thing in Jeremiah 26.
Jer 26:1-2 [1] In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this
word from the LORD, saying, [2] Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and
speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I
command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
Diminish not a word. It was shock treatment. Tell them this place will be like Shiloh. And they knew
what that meant. It pointed them back to Eli. His sons died, he heard about it and he broke his neck
and the Ark was taken. When you read the context, ask yourself why is he saying it, what is he
saying, how is he saying it? What, when, and where. It was to wake them up. Then find how to apply
it today.
Sermon Intro: This morning brothers and sisters I have news for you. Soon you will not see our
General Conference structure anymore. It is going to burned up. You will not see the church
building anymore. You will not see the pastors, or GC president. Do not trust in the arm of flesh.
They will be gone, and only you will be left, how are you today in your heart. The OT is talking about
us now. But be careful when you do a shock treatment. There is no power when you do that over
and over. Do it once in a while. Good explanation on Gehena. Do not trust in arm of flesh, but trust in
God. What are your personal relationship with God today? *** Shock treatment, don’t repeat it
many times, do not overdue it.
7:13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up
early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;
7:14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place
which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
7:15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of
Ephraim.
7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make
intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
7:17 ¶ Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to
make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may
provoke me to anger.
7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of
their own faces?
7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this
place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it
shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
“It shall burn and shall not be quenched” – Hellfire Doctrine. People can understand Sabbath
very easily, but people have hard time understanding the doctrine of Hellfire.
Objections – People bring many objections with the proofs from the book of Jeremiah. These are
some main texts they use: First we must look at the context of Jeremiah. What is he talking about?
Jer 7:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out
upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the
ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Jer 17:27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden,
even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates
thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day
nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Answer – When you notice the word “mine anger” Jer 7:20, it will be resolved easily by comparing
with other texts:
Jer 23:20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed
the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
His anger will not cease until His purpose has been executed and fulfilled. So when Jeremiah says
that the fire will not be quenched. He means that until God’s purpose is executed and fulfilled it will
burn. It will not burn on and on. It will burn until God’s purpose is fulfilled.
Jer 30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have
performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
He will not stop it until His intents are finished. And His purpose has been executed. He will not let
the fire be quenched until His thoughts are purposes are complete. The fire will not be put out until
God accomplished His purpose. Now we can look at the results of the fire and see what
unquenchable fire means. (Jeremiah said you broke the law of God, you didn’t keep the Sabbath
holy, you became wicked and turned to apostasy. Now nm as a result God will bring eternal
judgment to you. It will be an unquenchable fire. And this prophecy was fulfilled in the days of
Jeremiah. He saw the end of result, and this is it.) His anger will not stop until His purpose has been
executed and fulfilled. Therefore, the fire shall burn and be quenched after His purpose has been
executed and fulfilled. It doesn’t mean that it will go on forever. Jeremiah’s prophesy has been
fulfilled in the days of Jeremiah. Here are the result of ‘the fire that will not quench.” It was
“burned,” but after It’s purpose has been fulfilled, it stopped. It does not burn till now. In that sense,
the fire would never quench until it accomplishes its purpose.
Jer 52:10-13 [10] And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all
the princes of Judah in Riblah. [11] Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon
bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death. [12]
Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of
Babylon, into Jerusalem, [13] And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the
houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:
“burned” – This shows that it is not still burning. This is past tense. This shows that the fire went
out. But it was not quenched until everything was gone. And this was God’s eternal punishment. It
accomplished God’s purpose. It was done. You have to understand that the word “eternal or
forever” doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be no end. Consider these texts concerning the
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha.
Jude 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves
over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the
vengeance of eternal fire.
How do you interpret this?
2 Pet 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
The “eternal fire” is not a fire burning forever, but the purpose of the judgment was “eternal.” This
concept is widespread throughout the Bible: This eternal fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah
shows the purpose of God’s judgment. And the results are eternal. The purpose of the judgment was
eternal.
Point: The state of the dead; Secret Rapture; and Hell’s fire. These doctrines dominate the other
denominations. A man had a dream about the secret rapture, but it was in his mind. Dreams come
right before you awake. It seems like you dream that all night, but they come in 30 seconds to a few
minutes. You have three stages: While you are trying to go to sleep. Then you are unconscious. You
come up in gradual stages, before the last one. You have a dream, right before you wake up. Billy
Graham believes this too.
Jonah 2:6 [6] I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me
forever.
1 Sam 1:22, 28 [22] Then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide
forever… [28] Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the
LORD, And he worshipped the LORD there.
Ex 21:6 [6] Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or
unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for
ever.
This devilish doctrine has swept through Christendom. It gave numerous people the impression
that God is cruel and arbitrary. It made people almost impossible to picture God as God of love. “Yes,
I understand that God is God of love, and the cross, and everything. But I just cannot picture Him as
a loving Father while He will torment people like that through out eternity.” This is a serious
matter. We have responsibility to release them from the bondage of Satan.
What happens then to the wicked?
Obad 1:15, 16 [15] For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall
be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. [16] For as ye have drunk upon my
holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow
down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
God is going to judge the wicked and then wipe them out like they had never existed.
Mal 4:3 [3] And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in
the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
What time frame is this? After the millennium at Christ’s 3rd Coming. When we come down in the
New Jerusalem. Christ will resurrect the wicked and punish them. After this God will say go out and
conquer the world, and we will go out and tread on the ashes of the dead bodies of the wicked
people. And before our eyes God will recreate the earth. We will see it. (Is it literal or symbolic? Will
we literally walk on the ashes. Study SOP. If you interpret it literally it doesn’t take away from the
truth. It may perhaps be both literal and symbolic.)
Origin of the concept of “Hellfire”
Jer 7:31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to
burn their sons and their daughters in the fire;
What is he talking about? It has to do with word interpretation.
“valley of…Hinnom” – This has to do with the doctrine of Hell’s fire. The word hell in the Bible is
derived from the “valley of Hinnom.” In Hebrew it is “Ge himon” the both mean the same thing. In
the Greek they call hell "Gehena" This is what it is called in the NT. So the Greek word is the
pronunciation of the Hebrew word “Gehimon”. Gehena just means the valley of the Hinnom.
What was this place? It was a place where the people burned their trash. King Ahaz, Manasseh, and
Amon promoted the worship of Molech here. They would offer their babies as a sacrifice on the
altars that were erected here and burn them. It was a place of iniquity and abomination. When
Josiah became king he went to the “valley of Hinnom” and destroyed all of the altars. 2 Kings 20. he
crushed them into ashes. He cleaned it up and king Josiah made this area the place where the
people could come and burn their trash. He would burn it. When the people looked at the “valley of
himon” all they would see is a continual cloud of smoke that went up day and night. And if they
went up close they would see worms around the trash. The worms would pop out of the fire and
they would surround the trash. And some would be burning.
That is why the description of hell is that smoke will be continually going up to heaven, and the
worms would not die because worms are always around the fire. This imagery is taken from
Gehena the “valley of Hinnom” that is why the language is as such. And this became the word for
“hell” Gehena.
In Jer 19:6, the valley of Hinnom is also referred as ‘the valley of slaughter.” The word “Hell” is
drived from the word ‘the valley of the Hinnom (Heb – Ge Hinnom; Grk – Ge Henna).” It’s actually
translated as “hell” few times:
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Hell right here refers to Gehena.
Lk 12:4-5 [4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that
have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after
he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Hell right here refers to Gehena.
Where is Hell then? Hell will be on this earth.
2 Pet 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell,*and delivered
them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
* In this text, Peter used ‘tartarus” rather than “Gehenna.” Gehenna has meaning of “destruction.”
Tartarus has meaning of “gathering place of devil, wicked.” Gehanna is Jewish thinking, and tartarus
is Greek thinking of hell. Compare this with Rev 12:9. The same description is given here. They were
cast into hell. Earth is being described as hell or Gehena. This earth is Gehena. When you teach
about hell never say no I don’t believe in hell. We do believe it. Say we do believe it, but when will
we see hell? And where will it be? When will it happen?
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
When it will happen?
It will be at the second coming of Jesus.
2Thes 1:7-9 [7]…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power;
Hell fire will be seen when Christ comes. It says “everlasting destruction.” This happens at the
executive judgment.
Rev 20:7-9 [7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, [8]
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to
gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. [9] And they went up
on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and
fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
You ask them when this happens? After the millennium. We see hell right here. This earth will burn.
Where did the teaching of the center of the earth come from? It came from Catholicism. During the
middle ages they taught that purgatory (also known as hell) was in-between heaven and earth. And
they believe in Limbo. Limbo is where babies who were burning went. Yes, there is fire, hell. This
earth is going to be hell after when Jesus comes and at the Millennium.
How about the parable of Lazarus? How do you interpret this? In the Hebrew mind they also had
a concept of hell burning right now then too. They thought it was burning somewhere too.
Jesus used this understanding that was common among the poor people to teach them something.
He used the story to emphasis one point. And that was if someone came from the grave they would
not listen to him. Why did Jesus use this? Because it was an understanding that was going around
then. It was viewed that if a person was poor they were cursed by God and that was God’s
judgment. So folk stories started going around, they started saying that the rich would be in hell,
and the poor will be in heaven. This was the historical setting of the time. But the people
understood that Jesus was trying to make a point. They knew it wasn’t true. (Ill: We know the story
of the rabbit and turtle is not true, but we use it to make a point. If we use this, they will not think he
is serious.)
But even though the people knew this, there were still some Jews who believed in a literal hell that
was burning. Why did they believe this? Because they were taught it from the Jewish Rabbi’s and
they learned this from the Greeks. Why? Because at that time they sent many young Rabbi’s to
study in Alexandria and Rome to study and get degree’s and the cords etc. And they came back and
taught. They had influence over the church and the educational system. This is why the people
started to believe this. Remember this so you can share it when you need to.
(*PO this story shows the importance of true education). The Jewish people, had this concept of
burning hellfire. That’s why Jesus utilized the story that was going on among the poor common
people at that time, and taught His truth. He did not teach us every aspect of the story, yet he used
this story to emphasize one aspect of this story: Even though resurrected person come out from the
death and teach and preach, still they would not listen and obey.
“quenched” – People use this to say that the fire will burn forever. You must use the book of
Jeremiah to interpret what this means. So remember these verses will explain hell-fire.
Jonah 1:17 & 2:6 – This shows that forever means a certain period of time.
1 Samuel 1:22 “abide for ever” she said she would offer him forever to God.
1 Samuel 1:28 forever means as long as he lives.
Exodus 21:2, 5-6 ‘serve him forever” he can’t serve him when he dies, but this means as long
as he lives too.
Review: How would you prove that hell means this earth? What 2 texts show that this earth will be
hell? Revelation 12:9 & 2 Peter 2:4 – Revelation shows that he was cast out into the earth with his
angels. In Peter it says he cast them down to hell. Peter used hell and John used earth. They are
synonyms. Peter used the Greek word for hell. Which is Gehenna. In Hebrew it is Ge Hinnom, which
means valley of Hinnom.
But there is another Greek word for hell: Tartarus. When we see the word hell in the Bible, Gehenna
is used the most. But Peter used Tartarus in this verse. Gehenna means destruction which refers to
the final destruction of God. Eternal fire for punishment. Tartarus means a gathering place for
devils, evil spirits, and wicked people. Gehenna is from the Jewish mindset. Tartarus is the greek
mindset for hell. This is why Peter used this term. So in Jeremiah 19:6 Right here Gehenna is not
hell, but it is Gehinom the valley of slaughter that means judgment is to come. This means it is not
burning somewhere right now.
(*PO so Jesus or the Bible uses Gehenna which refers to the place where they burned trash as a
symbol of what is going to happen to this earth. It will burn all the wicked and the fire will not be
quenched until they are all burned up.)
7:21 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and
eat flesh.
7:22For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the
land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my
people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of
their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
7:25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent
unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
7:26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse
than their fathers.
7:27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt
also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.
7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor
receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
7:29 ¶ Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the
LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their
abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
7:31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn
their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
7:32 ¶ Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the
valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no
place.
7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the
earth; and none shall fray them away.
7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of
mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall
be desolate.
Chapter 8 – Treachery in Judah
8:1 At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his
princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, out of their graves:
8:2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have
loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and
whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the
face of the earth.
Spread before all the things of the earth
8:3 And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family,
which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.
8:4 ¶ Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he
turn away, and not return?
8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit,
they refuse to return.
“perpetual backsliding” – Because of the temple they are going to be destroyed. The temple is the
subject matter.
8:6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying,
What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
8:7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the
swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the
pen of the scribes is in vain.
The scribes wrote the law in vain.
8:9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the
LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
What wisdom is in them? These verses show the subject matter. What is really being dealt with?
8:10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for
every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the
priest every one dealeth falsely.
This verse is dealing with captivity. They are sinning in the church, because of this Babylon is
coming.
8:11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when
there is no peace.
8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed,
neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation
they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
8:13 ¶ I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig
tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
Destruction is coming.
8:14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent
there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have
sinned against the LORD.
8:15We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!
8:16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the
neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city,
and those that dwell therein.
8:17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall
bite you, saith the LORD.
8:18 ¶ When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
Captivity
8:19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country:
Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven
images, and with strange vanities?
8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on
me.
8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of
my people recovered?
Chapter 9 – Jeremiah’s Lamentation for Jerusalem
9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for
the slain of the daughter of my people!
Destruction and captivity.
9:2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and
go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the
earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
“they know not me, saith the LORD” – Same theme as chapter 8.
9:4 Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will
utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.
9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their
tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
9:6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
9:7 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for
the daughter of my people?
They are being destroyed. God is listing the sins and then showing them how they will be destroyed.
9:8 Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour
with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.
9:9 ¶ Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a
nation as this?
9:10 For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a
lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the
voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.
9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate,
without an inhabitant.
9:12 ¶ Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD
hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that
none passeth through?
Who [is] the wise man? This is connected back to chapter 8. The issue is the wise, this is the main
point.
9:13 And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not
obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
Same concept repeated.
9:14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers
taught them:
9:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people,
with
wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.
9:16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I
will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
9:17 ¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come;
and send for cunning women, that they may come:
9:18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and
our eyelids gush out with waters.
9:19 For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because
we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
9:20 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and
teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.
9:21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from
without, and the young men from the streets.
9:22 Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as
the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.
9:23 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory
in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight,
saith the LORD.
9:25 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the
uncircumcised;
How you can be wise. The Jews and the Gentiles will be punished together. Punish, Jew and Gentiles
9:26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost
corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel
are uncircumcised in the heart.
To be circumcised is to know him, uncircumcised in the heart
Chapter 10 – Idols and the Living God
10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven;
for the heathen are dismayed at them.
This is a climax of showing who He is. Learn, but true education. Do not be dismayed at the signs in
Heaven – it is a result of the heathen
10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands
of the workman, with the axe.
The way the make the idols
10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go.
Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
They can’t walk.
10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Wise men
10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all
the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
10:9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman,
and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Gold and hands
10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth
shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Comparison of idols to God. God is describing Himself to them. True God, everlasting God
10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they
shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath
stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
10:13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the
vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the
wind out of his treasures.
10:14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his
molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
10:16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his
inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
10:17 ¶ Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
10:18 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will
distress them, that they may find it so.
Judgment – captivity, judgment.
10:19 ¶ Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
10:20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they
are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not
prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the
cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
“north country”
10:23 ¶ O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his
steps.
“[it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps” – Issue of the heart. Still dealing with the
issues of the heart.
10:24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
10:25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy
name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his
habitation desolate.
Chapter 11 – The Broken Covenant
11:1 The word that came to from the LORD, saying,
11:2 Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem;
“Hear ye the words of this covenant” – The covenant issue is raised – a new subject matter 14:21
PK 415 the time had come for deep heart searching. While Josiah had been their ruler, the people
had had some ground for hope. But no longer could he intercede in their behalf, for he had fallen in
battle. The sins of the nation were such that the time for intercession had all but passed by. ‘though
Moses and Samuel stood before Me," the Lord declared, "yet My mind could not be toward this
people: cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth. And it shall come to pass, if they say unto
thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them. Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death,
to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine;
and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity." Jeremiah 15:1, 2.
In chapter 15, King Josiah had already passed away.
11:3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the
words of this covenant,
Through the covenant you can understand who God is. The covenant consists of two things,
blessings and cursings. Based on the condition of the heart, it determines whether you receive
blessings or cursings. There is going to be a cursing coming
11:4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from
the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye
be my people, and I will be your God:
11:5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with
milk and
honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
The promise.
11:6 Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of
Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
Hear the words of the covenant.
11:7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of
Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
11:8 Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil
heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do;
but they did them not.
“evil heart” – Destruction is coming because they broke the covenant.
11:9 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the
inhabitants of Jerusalem.
11:10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and
they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my
covenant which I made with their fathers.
“turned back…broken covenant “
11:11 ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able
to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
11:12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom
they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
11:13 For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of
the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto
Baal.
Idol worship.
11:14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear
them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
There is a time that we cant pray for the lost.
11:15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the
holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great
tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
The olive tree being burned.
11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the
house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to
anger in offering incense unto Baal.
Because you have burned incense unto Baal.
11:18 ¶ And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
11:19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had
devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off
from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
11:20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy
vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
“triest the reins and the heart” – Another thought that is expressed through the book. This is a
build up that is expanded in chapter 17.
11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in
the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
“men of Anathoth” – These are the priests. They want to kill him? Why? Ex 19:5 – Keep the
covenant, Holy Nation, then comes the commandments in Ex 20 then in Ex 21, 22 – judgments. Ex
24:6 we see in order for the covenant to go into effect there has to be blood. After the blood Ex 25:8
the making of the Sanctuary, Ex 26 then there are the ministers who minister the blessings and
cursing to the people. The covenant includes everything. The priests were meant to be the minister
of the covenant by which blessings and cursings came. So when Jeremiah said they were cursed, he
was really attackhing the religious leadership because the priests were meant to be the ministers of
the covenant
They told them in chapter 7 – Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord, why are they so up set,
because it was an attack on the leadership, they have been saying everything is good, but God says
he is going to destroy them.
11:22 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the
sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
11:23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the
year of their visitation.
Chapter 12 – Jermiah’s Complaint to God
12:1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments:
Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very
treacherously?
12:2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art
near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
12:3 But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out
like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
12:4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that
dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.
12:5 ¶ If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with
horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in
the swelling of Jordan?
What is this referring to? The wickedness in the land. God was saying if you can’t endure the
wickedness now, what are you going to do when it increases beyond your control? If in the place
where you trust, the land of peace you are tired, what are you going to do when the wicked
encompasses you, when it almost drowns you?
12:6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee;
yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee. \
Then He gives an example, your own family are dealing treacherously (or they are betraying you
behind your back) you.
12:7 ¶ I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul
into the hand of her enemies.
12:8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
12:9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye,
assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have
made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Unfaithful pastors are destroying God’s people, and they are not laying them to heart.
Jer 23:1-4 [1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the
LORD. [2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye
have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon
you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. [3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all
countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be
fruitful and increase. [4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall
fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Pastors will be visited with their own evil. Who are the shepherds or pastors that the Lord will set
up over them?
Jer 3:15-18 [15] And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with
knowledge and understanding. [16] And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in
the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD:
neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall
that be done any more. [17] At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the
nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any
more after the imagination of their evil heart. [18] In those days the house of Judah shall walk with
the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have
given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
They will feed with knowledge and understanding. The 3 angel’s messages.
12:11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made
desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
12:12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall
devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
12:13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not
profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
12:14 ¶ Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have
caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of
Judah from among them.
12:15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on
them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
12:16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name,
The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my
people.
12:17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
Utterly destroyed.
Chapter 13 – The Ruined Girdle
13:1 Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not
in water.
The girdle
13:2 So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.
13:3 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,
13:4 Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it
there in a hole of the rock.
13:5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.
13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take
the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
13:7 Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and,
behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
13:8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
13:9 Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of
Jerusalem.
13:10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and
walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for
nothing.
13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house
of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a
name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
Priests wore the girdles
13:12 ¶ Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle
shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be
filled with wine?
13:13 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this
land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
Dealing with the condition of the heart again
13:14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I
will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
13:15 ¶ Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the
dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross
darkness.
13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall
weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.
13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come
down, even the crown of your glory.
13:19 The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away
captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
13:20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given
thee, thy beautiful flock?
13:21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as
chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
13:22 ¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine
iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
“For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy heels made bare” –
This is why the problems are coming. Dealing with the condition of the heart again.
13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are
accustomed to do evil.
13:24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
13:25 This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten
me, and trusted in falsehood.
13:26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine
abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when
shall it once be?
Describing them as horses. God has identified the problem, and now we should expect to see the
solution. The solution is therefore with in the covenant.
Chapter 14 – Famine, Sword, and Pestilence
Chapters 14 and 15 were written after the death of Josiah (PK 415). The people no longer have
anyone to intercede for them. So the judgments will be poured out because of the sins of Manasseh.
Chapter 14 was spoken while Judah was still a nation. (PK 461)
These chapters bring to view why God was executing judgment. It was because they refused to turn
from their ways and to respond to the covenant promises.
Chapter Outline
 Dearth of water and grass (1-6)
 Plead to be saved for the Lord’s name sake (7-9)
 Lord visits the sins of the people because they rebel (10-12)
 false prophets and people consumed by sword and famine (13-19)
 Jeremiah acknowledges sin and request God to keep covenant (20-22)
Dearth of water and grass (1-6)

VERSE [1] The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth. [2] Judah mourneth,
and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
[3] And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no
water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered
their heads. [4] Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were
ashamed, they covered their heads. [5] Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because
there was no grass. [6] And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like
dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.
14:1 The word of the LORD that came to concerning the dearth.
“dearth” – No water
14:2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of
Jerusalem is gone up.
14:3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water;
they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
No rain is found.
14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they
covered their heads.
14:5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.
14:6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did
fail, because there was no grass.
Plead to be saved for the Lord’s name sake (7-9)
VERSE [7] O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our
backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. [8] O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in
time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that
turneth aside to tarry for a night? [9] Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man
that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us
not.
14:7 ¶ O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our
backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in
the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
14:9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art
in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.
Lord visits the sins of the people because they rebel (10-12)
VERSE [10] Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not
refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity,
and visit their sins. [11] Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. [12]
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will
not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
14:10 ¶ Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained
their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their
sins.
14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will
not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
False prophets and people consumed by sword and famine (13-19)

VERSE [13] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the
sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. [14] Then the
LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I
commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination,
and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. [15] Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning
the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall
not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. [16] And the people to
whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the
sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their
daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them. [17] Therefore thou shalt say this word unto
them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin
daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow. [18] If I go forth
into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them
that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know
not. [19] Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and
there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and
behold trouble!
14:13 ¶ Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword,
neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have
I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a
thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
14:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them
not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets
be consumed.
14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the
famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their
daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
14:17 ¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day,
and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very
grievous blow.
14:18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then
behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that
they know not.
14:19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is
no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold
trouble!
Jeremiah acknowledges sin and request God to keep covenant (20-22)

VERSE [20] We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have
sinned against thee. [21] Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy
glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. [22] Are there any among the vanities of the
Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God?
therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
14:20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned
against thee.
14:21 Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not
thy covenant with us.
There is a famine because they broke the covenant.
Deut 11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I
command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all
your soul,
God will give you the rain in its seasons.
14:22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give
showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all
these things.
Summary
The dearth came as a result of the covenant being broken. Deut 11:13-17. Jeremiah pleads for his
people
Chapter 15 – Covenant
This is after the death of the King, and now the covenant is being lost.
Chapter Outline
 Captivity and death come because of the sins of Manasseh (1-4)
 God delivers His people to the sword because they have forsaken Him (5-9)
 Jeremiah wishes he wasn’t borne (10-11)
 Substance and treasure of Jerusalem to be given without price (12-14)
 Jeremiah asks the Lord to remember him and promise to deliver him from his enemies (15-
21) 20-21 reiterate chapter 1:18-19.
Spoken to Jeremiah himself:
Jer 15:10-11 [10] Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of
contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; [yet]
every one of them doth curse me. [11] The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily
I will cause the enemy to entreat thee [well] in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
Jer 40:1-3 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of
the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that
were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
[2] And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath
pronounced this evil upon this place. [3] Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he
hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this
thing is come upon you.
In Jeremiah wishes he wasn’t borne and promise to be treated well by enemy (v10-11). The
promise is fulfilled Jeremiah 40:2-5.
Captivity and death come because of the sins of Manasseh (1-4)

VERSE [1] Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind
could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. [2] And it shall
come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith
the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as
are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. [3] And I will
appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls
of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. [4] And I will cause them to be
removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for
that which he did in Jerusalem.
15:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be
toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
15:2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them,
Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and
such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
15:3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and
the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
15:4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of
Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
God delivers His people to the sword because they have forsaken Him (5-
9)
VERSE [5] For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall
go aside to ask how thou doest? [6] Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone
backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with
repenting. [7] And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children,
I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways. [8] Their widows are increased to
me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a
spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. [9] She
that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was
yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword
before their enemies, saith the LORD.
15:5 For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to
ask how thou doest?
15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my
hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
15:7 And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy
my people, since they return not from their ways.
15:8 Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the
mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors
upon the city.
15:9 She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it
was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword
before their enemies, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah wishes he wasn’t born (10-11)

VERSE [10] Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention
to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of
them doth curse me. [11] The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause
the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. VERSE [12] Shall iron
break the northern iron and the steel? [13] Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil
without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders. [14] And I will make thee to pass with
thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall
burn upon you.
15:10 ¶ Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the
whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth
curse me.
15:11 The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat
thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
15:12 Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
15:13 Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even
in all thy borders.
15:14 And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is
kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
VERSE [15] O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors;
take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. [16] Thy
words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine
heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. [17] I sat not in the assembly of the
mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. [18]
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be
altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? [19] Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou
return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the
precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou
unto them. [20] And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight
against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver
thee, saith the LORD. [21] And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem
thee out of the hand of the terrible.
15:15 ¶ O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me
not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine
heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
15:17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast
filled me
with indignation.
15:18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be
altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
15:19 ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand
before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return
unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
15:20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but
they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
15:21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the
Chapter 16 – Famine, Sword, and Death | The LORD will restore Israel
16:1 The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying,
16:2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
16:3 For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this
place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in
this land;
16:4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they
shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and
their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
16:5 For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan
them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness and
mercies.
16:6 Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men
lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
16:7 Neither shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall
men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
16:8 Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
16:9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in
your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom,
and the voice of the bride.
16:10 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say
unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or
what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
16:11 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have
walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and
have not kept my law;
16:12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of
his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:
16:13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers;
and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.
16:14 ¶ Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth,
that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
16:15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from
all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto
their fathers.
16:16 ¶ Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I
send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of
the holes of the rocks.
16:17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid
from mine eyes.
16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land,
they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
16:19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall
come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity,
and things wherein there is no profit.
16:20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
16:21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and
my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
Chapter 17 – Fruit of the Heart | The Sin of Judah
Chapter Outline
 Sin on heart and altars of Judah (heaven) causes spoil and lost of heritage (1-4)
 Blessing and cursing pronounced because of the heart (5-8)
 Heart searched to give reward to every man (9-11)
 Hearts are searched in sanctuary to give final reward (12-14)
 Jeremiah asks for the day of evil (reward to cursed) (15-18)
 Blessing or curse based upon keeping of the Sabbath (19-27)
Sin on heart and altars of Judah (heaven) causes spoil and lost of
heritage (1-4)
VERSE [1] The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is
graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; [2] Whilst their children
remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. [3] O my mountain in
the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin,
throughout all thy borders. [4] And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I
gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye
have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
17:1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the
table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
“sin of Judah…table of their heart" – The subject matter of verse 1 is the sin of Judah. What about
it? It is written with a pen of iron, with the point of a diamond. Where is it written? Upon the heart
and upon the horns of the altars. Keep in mind that when sin was graven upon the altars it was a
symbol that showed it was written in heaven. (this is a key to understand the rest of the chapter)
Note: Every sin that you commit is written two places in your mind and in heaven. And humanly
speaking it can never be erased.
17:2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
"altars…groves" – What were the sins that were written in their heart? The implication is, even if
they forget it is still recorded with a diamond pen.
17:3 O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high
places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
17:4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee
to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger,
which shall burn for ever.
These two verses (3-4) show the result of the sins that were written on their heart and on the
altars. Watch carefully.
Blessing and cursing pronounced because of the heart (5-8)
VERSE [5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm,
and whose heart departeth from the LORD. [6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall
not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and
not inhabited. [7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. [8] For
he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall
not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of
drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
17:5 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and
whose heart departeth from the LORD.
"Cursed be the man" – Is there a change of subject? This verse pronounces a curse upon a man
that trusteth in man and makes flesh his arm, meaning his strength or dependence., and this cursed
mans heart has done what? Departed from the Lord. Now verse 6 shows the result of the cursed
man whose heart has departed from the Lord.
17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit
the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
“inhabit parched places" – The one who is cursed will inhabit the wilderness.
17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
"Blessed is the man" – Now a blessing is pronounced on the man who trusts in the Lord. Now the
next verse shows the result of one who is blessed.
17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and
shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of
drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
"planted by the waters…neither shall cease from yielding fruit" – Verses 5-8 shows us a
contrast between a cursed man and a blessed man. Notice the contrast. The cursed man trust man,
and makes flesh his arm, and the reason why he does this is because his HEART had departed from
the Lord. The blessed man trust the Lord and he doesn’t make flesh his arm, his hope is in the Lord.
Now is this a change of subject?
So far in this book we see that over and over God through His prophet is repeating something.
Because you have sin you are going into captivity. Because of the sins of your fathers, this will
happen to you. Eventually, when something is being repeated you must realize that there must be
more. That point is clear. If you obey a blessing will come, if you disobey a curse will come. But God
is not going to spend 52 chapters just saying that, there must be more. So what is the issue in this
chapter? Watch carefully:
Jer 17:1 …sin of Judah...table of their heart…
We know from this verse that there is a record of sin two places. In your mind and in heaven. Now
in verse 5 it says
Jer 17:5 …whose heart departeth from the Lord
So in heaven the record declares that this persons heart has departed from the Lord, and because of
that. He is cursed!! But the man who trust in the Lord, it must follow that in contrast to the one
whose heart has departed from the Lord, this person does what? Follows after the Lord, where? In
his heart. (Jeremiah recognized this and he takes advantage of it later). LISTEN: THE CONDITION
OF THE HEART DETERMINES WHETHER YOU ARE BLESSED OR CURSED. Watch how he keeps
building.
Heart searched to give reward to every man (9-11)

VERSE [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I
the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and
according to the fruit of his doings. [11] As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so
he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall
be a fool.
17:9 ¶ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The what? Heart. So can you see how chapter 17 so far is focusing on the heart? (BSM: When
you study pay attention to what is being repeated, and don’t loose the context). What about the
heart?
"deceitful…wicked" – It is natural for our heart to trust man, it is natural for our hearts to make
flesh their arm, it is natural for the heart to depart from the Lord, and as a result there is a written
record of sin in our minds and in heaven.
“who can know it” – We in and of ourselves cannot know how wicked and sinful our hearts are. We
are not able. Who can know it?
17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and
according to the fruit of his doings.
“I the LORD search the heart” – Who searches the heart? The Lord, so who knows the heart? The
Lord. And as a result of Him searching the heart what does He do?
“even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings” – So
when you look at verses 3,4,6,and 8. These verses are the fruit of the heart. These verses show the
end result of what? The Lord searching the heart. Verses 6 and 8 are an analogy illustrated what the
end result will be because of the condition of the heart. You will see the same thing in the next
verse.
17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right,
shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
For the simple fact he says it is not by right shows that he knew his heart. And the end result, the
fruit is? He will leave them and be a fool. NOW WATCH WHAT HE SAYS.
Hearts are searched in sanctuary to give final reward (12-14)
VERSE [12] A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. [13] O LORD,
the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be
written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. [14] Heal
me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
17:12 ¶ A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
Is there a subject change right here? A slight change. What is this talking about? What does this
have to do with what we have seen thus far?
This verse shows the purpose of the sanctuary. It is from the sanctuary that the Lord
searches the heart, it is from the sanctuary that the Lord gives every man according to his
works. It is from the sanctuary that the Lord determines who is cursed and who is blessed, it
is in the sanctuary were the sin of Judah is written.
PA CNA: You can sum up these 12 verses in two words: Investigative Judgment. And if I asked you
what is the purpose of the investigative judgment, what would you say? To search the heart. And to
determine if you will be blessed or cursed. Now you understand Rev 22:11 "" he has just finished
what? Searching the heart. And V.12 He comes to give what? The reward. V.14 "Blessed" the
blessing is pronounced. Now when you look at John 5 you see exactly what Christ was saying. V.25,
V.27 "execute judgment" What is this? Searching the heart, and pronouncing blessing and cursing.
Final blessing life, final curse damnation.
Jer 17:29 …good...life…evil...damnation…
He is saying to the Jews I will search your heart. Now you see how the blessing and cursing analogy
is really dealing with eternal life or eternal damnantion. So the final decision will be written in
heaven.
17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me
shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.
This verse is a summation. He is repeating what has already been said, it shows that he is about to
bring this part of the chapter to a close.
“depart from me” – Contextually speaking who does this refer to? The Cursed. Notice the final
result the final conclusion.
“shall be written in the earth” – Written where? That phrase describes the final destruction of the
cursed or the wicked. Notice the contrast.
Luke 10:20 …written in heaven…
If their names are written in heaven, it means in the book of life. The final reward is eternal life. If
they are written in the earth. It means the final reward is eternal death. So the natural comparison
is this. In V.13 those who “depart” are the cursed. Their names are written in the earth. So those
who follow are the blessed and their names are written where? In heaven, in the heavenly
sanctuary.
17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
You are my praise save me Lord! Now Jeremiah is going to respond based upon what God has just
said to him.
Jeremiah asks for the day of evil (reward to cursed) (15-18)

VERSE [15] Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now. [16] As for
me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day;
thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee. [17] Be not a terror unto me:
thou art my hope in the day of evil. [18] Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me
be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil,
and destroy them with double destruction.
17:15 ¶ Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now.
Subject matter is the Word of the Lord. It includes everything said in the previous chapters, but
within the chapter what was the Word of the Lord? Blessing and cursing. So let His word come, let it
come to pass.
17:16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful
day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
"follow thee…came out of my lips"
“woeful day” – he was rebuked for this in chapter 12. He treaded lightly, but in the end he still asks
for the destruction of the wicked. If he has followed the Lord, it shows that he has not done what?
Departed. So he should receive a blessing right?
“came out of my lips...right before thee” – How does God know this? Because he searches the
heart. But it is now in reference to what he has said to the people. You know it was right.
17:17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
"art my hope" – This goes back to verse 7 “hope is the Lord.” Now he is saying you are my hope.
NOTE: THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL LESSON WE CAN LEARN. WHEN GOD MAKES A PROMISE. WE
SHOULD COME TO HIM AND NOT ASKING IN OUR OWN WAY, BUT USING HIS WORD AS A BASIS BY
WHICH WE SEND OUR PETITION, AND GOD MUST HONOR HIS WORD.
He says to hid him in the day of evil because he trust in the Lord. Bless me.
17:18 Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed,
but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Key text for the destruction of the wicked
Note: I don’t know if I could pray like this, but it is not wrong to ask the Lord to avenge you as long
as you have delivered His Word. Because in avenging you, He avenges His Word. But here he is
saying bring upon them the evil day. Let them be confounded, not me, destroy them with a double
destruction.
“double destruction” – he was asking for two things, let them be destroyed by the sword, etc, but
also the final destruction of all the wicked after the millennium. V.13 “written in the earth”. Notice
what the Lord says.
Blessing or curse based upon keeping of the Sabbath (19-27)

VERSE [19] Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people,
whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
[20] And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: [21] Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to
yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; [22]
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but
hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. [23] But they obeyed not, neither inclined
their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction. [24] And it
shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through
the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; [25]
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David,
riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever. [26] And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and
from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the
mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and
incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD. [27] But if ye will not hearken
unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of
Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the
palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
17:19 ¶ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the
kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
17:20 And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Read over
17:21 Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it
in by the gates of Jerusalem;
17:22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but
hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
“sabbath day” – From verses 15-18 You have the Jeremiah expressing what the people have said.
And Jerm speaks to God based upon his understanding of God’s blessing and cursing. He is saying I
have followed you, they are not. You have searched my heart, you know what I said is true. We just
saw how God will give every man according to his works based upon how God searches the heart.
Then the Sabbath comes in.
What is the connection? What where the people doing on the Sabbath? Bearing burdens. So they
were breaking the Sabbath. So it shows that they had done what? THEY HAVE DEPARTED FROM
THE LORD!!
So this is what you have. God says I will search your heart and give every man according to His
work. I will bless you or curse you. Now He is saying don’t bear burdens on the Sabbath why?
BECAUSE HOW WE KEEP THE SABBATH IS AN OUTWARD INDICATION OF THE CONDITION OF
THE HEART. THE SABBATH SHOWS CLEARLY WHEATHER YOU HAVE DEPARTED FROM THE
LORD OR IF YOU HAVE FOLLOWED AFTER HIM OR NOT. AND YOU WILL BE JUDGED BASED UPON
HOW YOU KEEP THE SABBATH? WHY? BECAUSE IT SHOWS WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART.
That is why there is so much emphasis on the Sabbath because it shows to everyone what is in your
heart. If you follow the Lord or not. If you do He can bless you, if not, He will curse you and
ultimately because of this you will receive eternal life or death.
Short Summary: So far we have sin written in our heart and in heaven (which in essence is
justification and sanctification or Righteousness By Faith). We have the Lord searching the heart,
which is the investigative judgment. We have the Sanctuary. We have the resurrection, and now we
have the Sabbath. Do these doctrines sound familiar? Do you understand why we are called the
remnant? The things that you teach determine whether you are the remnant, not what you say. We
are not only connected to the apostolic church. We are connected to all of God’s faithful people from
the beginning of the world to the end. That is why we are the remnant.
17:23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear,
nor receive instruction.
“receive instruction” – Sound familiar? Habakkuk and Zephaniah.
17:24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden
through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
17:25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David,
riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
17:26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the
land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt
offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the
house of the LORD.
Blessing if they follow. Notice it says Jerusalem would last forever. It was based upon condition.
17:27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even
entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and
it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Gates will be burned and not quenched, they are cursed!
Chapter 18 – The Potter and the Claw
God’s Way.--[Jer. 18:1-10 quoted.] This presents before us God’s way of dealing with His people. He
sends warnings. He pleads with them to cease to do evil and learn to do well. Hear the words of
Christ, for they are spoken to all who claim to be His people. Blessings are promised to all who follow
the Lord to do righteousness, but those who walk in their own ways show that under the trying
circumstances liable to occur anywhere, they will prove unfaithful, and God cannot bless them
(Letter 34, 1899). 4BC 1156.4
18:1 The word which came to from the LORD, saying,
18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again
another vessel, as
seemed good to the potter to make it.
18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the
potter's hand,
so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
18:7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to
pull down, and to destroy it;
18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I
thought to do unto them.
18:9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to
plant it;
18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I
would benefit them.
18:11 ¶ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus
saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every
one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
18:12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do
the imagination of his evil heart.
18:13 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the
virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
18:14 Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold
flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused
them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;
18:16 To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be
astonished, and wag his head.
18:17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the
face, in the day of their calamity.
18:18 ¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish
from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him
with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
18:19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
18:20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood
before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
18:21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the
sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to
death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.
18:22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they
have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
18:23 Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither
blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time
of thine anger.
Chapter 19 – The Broken Bottle
19:1 Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people,
and of the ancients of the priests;
19:2 And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and
proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,
19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith
the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever
heareth, his ears shall tingle.
19:4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto
other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this
place with the blood of innocents;
19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto
Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
19:6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor
The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.
19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall
by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will
I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
19:8 And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be
astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.
19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall
eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that
seek their lives, shall straiten them.
19:10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,
19:11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this
city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in
Tophet, till there be no place to bury.
19:12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this
city as Tophet:
19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of
Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven,
and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.
19:14 Then came from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of
the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,
19:15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her
towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they
might not hear my words.
Chapter 20 – Jeremiah persecuted by Pashur
20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD,
heard that prophesied these things.
20:2 Then Pashur smote the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin,
which was by
the house of the LORD.
20:3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth out of the stocks. Then said unto him,
The LORD
hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor–missabib.
20:4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they
shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the
hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the
sword.
20:5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious
things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which
shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to
Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast
prophesied lies.
20:7 ¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I
am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a
reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in
mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
20:10 ¶ For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All
my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail
against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and
they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting
confusion shall never be forgotten.
20:12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy
vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
20:13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of
evildoers.
20:14 ¶ Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
20:15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee;
making him very glad.
20:16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear
the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
20:17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her
womb to be always great with me.
20:18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be
consumed with shame?
Chapter 21 – Judgment from Nebuchadnezzar | Message to the Houseo f
David
BSM: From Chapter 1-21 you have an overview of Josiah to Zedekiah. Chapter 22 fills in the details.
You see this in Daniel 7 too. This is a principal in prophecy. This is not an accident that the chapters
are put in this way. God has a reason why He did it this way!
Chapter 21 takes us to the time of Zedekiah and God shows his downfall, chapter 22 shows us the
rise and fall of the sons of Josiah. After Josiah they could not properly execute justice and judgment,
they were wicked. So God says enough of this. You cannot do it, and I am going to send judgment on
you and punish you for leading my people astray and then I am going to send one who can perform
my will. So the history is recounted JUST TO SHOW THAT AFTER THEM CHRIST IS COMING!!! HE
WILL BE YOUR KING!!
21:1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the
son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,
"Zedekiah" – Historically where are we? We are at the last king of Israel.
21:2 Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against
us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from
us.
21:3 ¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
21:4 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your
hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you
without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
21:5 And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger,
and in fury, and in great wrath.
21:6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
21:7 And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the
people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the
hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those
that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither
have pity, nor have mercy.
21:8 ¶ And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life,
and the way of death.
21:9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he
that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him
for a prey.
21:10 For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given
into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
21:11 ¶ And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
21:12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is
spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it,
because of the evil of your doings.
“Execute judgment…deliver [him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor” – Notice
what they were suppose to do, execute judgment and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of
the oppressor, but did they do this? No they did not, now you are gong to see an example of God
executing judgment and delivering him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor. Who is God
going to execute judgment on? Babylon. Who is He delivering that was spoiled? His people. Where
are they? In the Land of the North. I am giving this to you, but you will not see this unless you study
very carefully chapters 21-25. Watch!! Go to chapter 23:7
Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD
liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
21:13 Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which
say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?
21:14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in
the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
Chapter 22 – Message to sons of Josiah
Notice another thread that is running through the first 22 chapters
Jer 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the
broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh
the truth; and I will pardon it
Jer 7:5-6 [5] For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute
judgment between a man and his neighbour; [6] [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and
the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: One
word sums this up? Justice.
Jer 21:12 O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver
[him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that
none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.
Jer 22:3, 15-16 [3] Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the
spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the
fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. [15] Shalt thou reign, because
thou closest [thyself] in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, [and]
then [it was] well with him? [16] He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then [it was] well [with
him: was] not this to know me? saith the LORD
“know me” – That phrase just connected everything from chapters 1-6; 7-10; 11-15; 16-20.
So what is the connection? Executing judgment and justice is associated with what? Knowing God.
Only those who know God and faithfully execute justice and judgment. But these people and
especially the kings were not executing judgment, WHY? Because they did not know who God
was. And why didn’t they know who God was? Because they departed from HIM in their heart. And
because they had departed in Heart they didn’t understand who God was through His covenant, and
the result was they were cursed? They trusted man, not God, they made flesh It’s arm (now you
understand why they were trying to get help from the king of Egypt.) and He was judging them
based upon the fruit of their doings, because these kings did not have the FEAR OF THE LORD.
Quiz:
1. In 331 B.C. Persia fell to Alexander the Great. What was the name of the Battle? Arbela
2. Why was a dream given to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2? In order to awaken his sense of
responsibility before God.
3. This text is in Acts, what chapter? 17
4. ? True
5. What is the true strength of nations or individuals? Fidelity or faithfulness
6. Nebuchadnezzar still had a desire for exaltation. What characteristic caused him to rebel?
Pride
7. Name the three names of Daniel and his friends: Belteshazzar, Abendego, Shadrach,
Meshach.
8. How did Nebuchadnezzar know that the fourth man in the fire was the son of God? By the
character of the Hebrew boys. They taught Nebuchadnezzar that Christ the Messiah would
come.
9. Nebuchadnezzar made a public confession, but he made a mistake in doing it, what was it?
Forcing them to worship.
10. When king Nebuchadnezzar received a second dream, what was Daniel's counsel? To repent
and ask for righteousness from God.
11. When was this dream (in Daniel 4) fulfilled? 1 year later
12. After 7 years of wondering as a beast he was restored to his throne, and he did something
and he was restored? When he lifted up his eyes to heaven (Spiritual meaning: We see this
in the book of Jonah. He didn't get swallowed up immediately, he sunk all the way down and
he was trapped in the bottom of the sea. He looked to the sanctuary and this is when he was
delivered. In the Bible especially the OT this concept is there. Looking up illustrates that we
surrender ourselves to God, when we have no hope. When we have this experience God
hears us. Looking up means you are the only one who can cure me.)
13. True greatness consists in true what? Goodness
22:1 Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
22:2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and
thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
22:3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the
hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow,
neither shed innocent
blood in this place.
22:4 For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon
the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
22:5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a
desolation.
22:6 For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of
Lebanon: yet
surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.
22:7 And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy
choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
22:8 And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore
hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
22:9 Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and
worshipped other gods, and served them.
22:10 ¶ Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he
shall return no more, nor see his native country.
22:11 For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of
Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
22:12 But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
22:13 ¶ Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that
useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
22:14 That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it
is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
22:15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do
judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me?
saith the LORD.
22:17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood,
and for
oppression, and for violence, to do it.
22:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not
lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah
his glory!
22:19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
22:20 ¶ Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy
lovers are destroyed.
22:21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner
from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.
22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou
be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
22:23 O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when
pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!
22:24 As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon
my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
22:25 And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face
thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.
22:26 And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not
born; and there shall ye die.
22:27 But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
22:28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are
they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no
man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
Chapter 23 – Messiah: The Righteous Brance
This chapter is talking about the Messiah It is talking about Him being a Shepherd and righteous
branch. It talks about Him saving and delivering the remnant. This is an important chapter. In
Jeremiah he is prophesying of destruction that is coming upon Jerusalem. Why is he describing
himself as a Shepherd? I am punishing you and judging you. Not to destroy you but to correct you,
to help you and save you. I am trying to save your soul. A Shepherd uses a rod to discipline them.
But I want to restore you I want to lead you back to the fold. I want to bring you home. This is why
God uses this symbolism.
He also uses the illustration of a Righteous Branch of David. Why does he use this? We will see this
also in Isaiah 11:1-4; Zech 3:8, 6:12.
Is 11:1-4 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of
his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; [3] And shall
make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his
eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: [4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor,
and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Zech 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are
men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Zech 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man
whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of
the LORD:
God uses this because the tree was cut off. A branch symbolizes a new start. There was only a stump
left. As long as you have the root, it will yield a new branch. So Jesus is talking about having a new
start, a new hope, He is speaking of a glorious future. Even while he was pronouncing judgment
upon Jerusalem and Judea but He is still talking about a new start and hope. Jeremiah was also a
prophet of hope. At this time the nation was wicked, but then it will be a righteous branch. “Of
David” indicates that this Messiah who will bring out a new hope will be found from the lineage of
David. Christ came from the lineage of David that is why it is called the branch of David.
God portrays Himself as a branch simply because the tree was cut off, and branch is the new
starting of life. When tree is cut off, as long as you don’t remove the root out, it will always yield a
new branch as a new starting of life. God is talking about new start and new hope for the glorious
future! While he is pronouncing and sentencing the judgment and destruction of Judah, He is still
talking about a new start and new hope. It was a wicked nation, but now a righteous branch.
He prophesied of Christ – AA 223" Jeremiah also bore witness of the coming Redeemer as a Prince of
the house of David: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous
Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His
days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: "
23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Study the difference between a Hireling and Shepherd with Psalm 23. Psalms 23 has material for
your own sermons. Question: Why did David call the Lord a Shepherd? Why didn’t he call him a
king, master, or general? There is something important that they want to bring out about a
Shepherd. This is why we see all throughout Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah this rescuer and deliver is
symbolized as a Shepherd. In Is 42 God called Cyrus a Shepherd. Shepherd is a symbolic term that
refers to God guiding, leading and restoring the remnant people. There is something that a
Shepherd does in the Jewish culture that is different from all the other occupations. It not just your
job-it becomes part of your life. You form an attachment with the sheep. There is something about
the relationship you see between a Shepherd and his sheep that the prophet wants to bring out
about Christ delivering the remnant.
23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have
scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil
of your doings, saith the LORD.
"pastors that feed my people" – We see repetition.
Jer 3:15 …pastors…which shall feed you…
Jer 6:4 …shepherds…feed them
23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will
bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be
dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
“I will set up shepherds” – Contextually speaking a shepherd is a what? Pastor. What is the
purpose of God raising unto David (meaning to sit on His throne) a righteous branch? To do what?
Execute judgment and righteousness, but why? What was the problem with the kings? They did not
execute righteousness and judgment. But why? Because they did not know the Lord, their heart had
departed from God. But now I am going to send Jesus, MY SON. And in sending Him, what will
happen?
23:5 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King
shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
“I will raise unto David a righteous Branch” – You can see the same concept in other places as
was mentioned in the chapter introduction. This verse says He will do what raise unto to David.
What does raise mean? If I say I am going to raise a child? What does it mean? To teach notice what
it says in
Jer 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto
David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
As a result of Him growing up. He will be able to execute judgment and righteousness. This is
speaking about the nature of Christ. Christ would have to come and learn obedience, what was the
problem with these kings? They trusted man, they made flesh their arm. They departed from the
Lord in their heart, and as a result they did not execute judgment and justice. So now in order for
Christ to sit on the throne He would first have to deal with the issue of the Heart. The heart
naturally trust man, it naturally makes flesh its arm, the heart naturally departs from the Lord.
So Christ would come as a branch (in humanity) and grow, showing that He would have to Learn
obedience. He would have to learn the Fear of the Lord, He would have to learn how to trust in the
Lord. He would have to learn how to hope in the Lord. Why? Because the heart is deceitful and
wicked above all things who can know it? Christ knows it, and by Him being acquainted with our
sinful nature He shows us how to have a heart that will not depart from the Lord. He would have to
learn how does a branch grow? Crooked showing that His nature would be fallen, yet it would grow
up STRAIGHT, without sin) and solve the issue of man’s heart, by giving him an example of how to
follow after the Lord in heart. And this gives Him a right to sit on the throne of David and execute
Judgment and Justice. Only one who knows the Lord, only one whose heart has not departed from
the Lord. Only one that has victory over sin, one who is RIGHTEOUS can properly execute justice
and judgment. That is why He is called the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!! And as a result of Him
executing righteousness the people would be? Righteous, that is why in Jeremiah 33:16 speaking of
Jerusalem they are called THE LORD OUR RIGHTOUSNESS. How because He has given His
righteousness to us. When the king was wicked the people was wicked, and when the King is
Righteous the people will be RIGHTEOUS!!
23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall
be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth,
which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
What is the first word? Therefore, meaning as the result of Christ executing judgment and justice in
the earth…read over
23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the
north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
"brought up and which led…out of the north country...land" – We saw this before.
Jer 16:4-5 [4] They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be
buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the
sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of
the earth. [5] For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor
bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, even lovingkindness
and mercies.
Jeremiah 16:14-15, now it repeats and enlarges, it gives you the details as to why they will say He
lead us out of the north country, why? What shows that the Lord lives? He executes judgment. It’s
like God proves that He is living, remember He said the other idols have no breath, they are not
alive, but now He shows He lives, how? By executing judgment. V.5 says he shall execute judgment
and justice in the earth. Now He will manifest His justice in the earth.
Now think very carefully. Why is there an emphasis on God leading His people out of the North
Country instead of Egypt? If you were to compare the two deliverances, historically, which one
would have been the greatest? 10 plagues or the drying up of Euphrates River? 10 plagues, right? So
why will the final remembrance of God’s deliverance be that He brought His people out of the land
of the north? Remember the fall of Babylon anciently, is a TYPE of the fall of Babylon at the end of
the world. What will be a greater deliverance Egypt? Or our deliverance at the end of the world?
The end of the world. The 10 plagues on Egypt finds its parallel in Rev 16, now you have 7 last
plagues falling, of which one, the sixth plague is the drying up of the river Euphrates to prepare the
way of the Kings of the East, in which Christ will lead His people out of their captivity, out of the
land of the north to their inheritance, the heavenly Canaan. So it is more for our day than theirs.
23:9 ¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken
man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his
holiness.
This verse is a shift, Jeremiah brings up the subject of the prophets, and then the Lord answers in
great detail as to why His people followed the imagination of their evil hearts, it was because of the
false prophets, and false dreams, spiritualism. This caused them to depart from the Lord.
Note: this shows us that spiritualism in the last days will cause people to depart from the Lord.
Verses 9-40 deal with this.
23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places
of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
23:11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the
LORD.
23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on,
and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
23:13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people
Israel to err.
23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in
lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all
of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
23:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with
wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness
gone forth into all the land.
23:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you:
they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
23:17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say
unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
23:18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath
marked his
word, and heard it?
23:19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall
grievously upon the head of the wicked.
23:20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the
thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should
have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven
and earth? saith the LORD.
This verse is building up where the next chapter is going. Messiah being a shepherd, righteous
branch delivering and saving the remnant.
23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have
dreamed.
23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the
deceit of their own heart;
23:27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to
his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my
word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from
his neighbour.
23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
23:32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause
my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore
they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
23:33 ¶ And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of
the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.
23:34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will
even punish that man and his house.
23:35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD
answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden;
for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
23:37 Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD
spoken?
23:38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word,
The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
23:39 Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave
you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:
23:40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be
forgotten.
Summary
Chapter 23 is like an insert or an overview. God took that time to identify that Christ would execute
justice and judgment, and then because of that the people would say He lives, He brings them out of
the land of the north. And then you will have an example of that.
Chapter 24 – The two baskets of Figs
24:1 The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after
that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of
Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them
to Babylon.
24:2 One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very
naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
24:3 Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good;
and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
24:4 ¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24:5 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are
carried away
captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
24:6 For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build
them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.
24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I
will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Jer 24:5-7 [5] Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge
them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the
Chaldeans for their good. [6] For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again
to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them
up. [7] And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people,
and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
This is the promise of revering and restoration. This promise hasn’t been fulfilled yet. It will fulfill to
the Spiritual Israel in the latter days. See this would take you back to chapter 22, which ended with
him speaking about Coniah or Jeconiah (Jehoichin) going into captivity and not coming back.
Jer 22:24-27 [24] As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were
the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; [25] And I will give thee into the hand
of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. [26] And I will cast thee out,
and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.
[27] But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
Now this chapter opens up with what? Jehoichin in captivity, so that means Zedekiah is one the
throne. You have two groups on the church or Judah good figs and bad. But this chapter also shows
two things:
"heart to know me" – It shows clearly why they went into captivity. But it is in relationship to the
good figs or the ones who God acknowledged. One word sums up what happened. The good figs will
come back and the evil figs will be consumed off of the land. This shows JUSTICE! Justice means.
(AH) = treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law. This is the
promise of restoration and recovering. This promise hasn’t been fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with
spiritual Israel in the latter days.
24:8 ¶ And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I
give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land,
and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a
reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
24:10 And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from
off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
Chapter 25 – Seventy Years of Captivity
Jeremiah repeated other prophets – ST. Feb 12, 1880 " Jeremiah, in the presence of all the priests and
the people, said that it was the earnest wish of his heart that God would so favor his people that the
vessels of the Lord’s house might be returned and the captives brought back from Babylon.. He
entreated them to hear the words that he spoke. He cited them to the prophecies of Hosea,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar
to his own." [Jer 28:8]
Prophecies Daniel Studied – RH March 21, 1907 "A copy of the letters sent by Jeremiah to the Hebrew
captives in Babylon, and of the letters sent by the false prophets to these captives and to the
authorities of Jerusalem, together with a story of the controversy between the true and false, is found
in the twenty-seventh to the twenty-ninth chapters of Jeremiah. These, with the prophecies of
the twenty-fifth chapter, are the letters and the records that Daniel the prophet, during ‘the first
year of the reign of Darius the Mede," prayerfully studied, three-score years and more after they were
written"
25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim
the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
25:2 The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, saying,
25:3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the
three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising
early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
25:4 And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but
ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
25:5 They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and
dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
25:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with
the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
25:7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the
works of your hands to your own hurt.
25:8 ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,
25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the
king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof,
and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an
astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
This verse is crucial.
"families of the north" – Where do we remember this verse from? Chapter 1, but this verse makes
it clear that in chapter 1:14-15 these verses are not just referring to the king of Babylon. It refers to
all of the kings of the north. You will see this.
"my servant" – Again this goes with the same thing in Daniel 9:26 "people of the prince", "his
armies" Matt 22:7. God called Titus one of the people of the prince. Here God calls Babylon His
servant.
"desolations" – If you understand this verse, it will help you understand Daniel 9:27, God
illustrating the point that He will desolate the desolator.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he
shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall
make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
25:10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the
bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.
25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the
king of Babylon seventy years.
“Shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” – Studying of the book of Jeremiah, Daniel
started making his prayer in Daniel 9, pleading to God that time is up. The prophecy of 70 years of
captivity has come to end, but he didn’t see any signs.
25:12 ¶ And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of
Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make
it perpetual desolations.
"king of Babylon" – Who is this? Dan 5 Belteshazzar. God speaking in advance saying Belteshazzar
will be punished. After 70 years expire look for the king to be punished. Some have said that
Belteshazzar was reigning in the place of someone else. However the point is that after 70 years
God would destroy whoever was king of Babylon.
"and that nation" – The nation of Babylon.
"land of Chaldeans" – notice that he says the land will be perpetual or continual desolations. How?
Think of that, how could the land of Babylon be a continual desolation? (Futurist use text like these
to say Babylon has to be rebuilt in the future in order for this to happen, because Babylon was
never a perpetual desolation.) So what is it saying? NOTICE VERY CAREFULLY…
25:13 And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is
written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations.
He says “all my words”…SEE THAT "ALL MY WORDS" Upon what? That land? At that time it was
land belonging to Babylon, but when the next power came up, it would belong to the next kingdom,
and the next, and the next. Until our time...Until WORDS THAT WERE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK
THAT Jeremiah PRONOUNCED AGAINST ALL NATIONS WOULD COME TO PASS. From this verse
you can see how Babylon is a symbol of the power in the last day that will rule the whole world.
Look at what happens next.
25:14 For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them
according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
key text
“serve themselves of them also” – The great kings shall serve themselves of them, meaning
Babylon. They would be guilty of the same sins as Babylon, and the nation of Babylon would be
made desolate.
25:15 ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and
cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
25:16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among
them.
25:17 Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD
had sent me:
25:18 To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make
them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;
25:19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;
25:20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the
Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,
25:21 Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,
25:22 And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond
the sea,
25:23 Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,
25:24 And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
25:25 And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,
25:26 And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world,
which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
25:27 Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and
be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.
25:28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them,
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.
25:29 For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly
unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth,
saith the LORD of hosts.
Daniel studied the prophecies of the Bible and he prayed in Daniel 9 that the 70 years are up. Where
are the signs for us to return? From studying Jeremiah Daniel got this.
25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar
from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he
shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
“His holy habitation” – This is harmonious with the Revelation in NT. John used the concept from
OT. John indicates in Rev 15 that all the judgment always comes from the sanctuary, from the holy
habitations, from His throne.
Rev 15:5-8 [5] And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in
heaven was opened: [6] And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues,
clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. [7] And one of
the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for
ever and ever. [8] And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power;
and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
The punishment and judgment is an act of love. If God allows the wicked people in the earth with
the righteous, it’s unfair to the righteous people, and misery to the wicked people. Long sinful life is
torture for them. Out of His love, He eliminates them to shorten the misery of the wicked and
protect the righteous ones. The 7 last plagues come from the sanctuary, the holy temple, the throne
of God. This is the last judgment that will come upon the wicked.
Objection: This meets the fact that God doesn’t kill. God is Love, but He judges. Judgment is a part of
love. If God allows the wicked to live with the righteous it will be unfair to the righteous. Out of love
He destroys the wicked. If the wicked lived forever they would be miserable.
Test: The Shepherd’s rod believe that in the last days God is going to send the angel’s to slaughter
7th day Adventist. They believe after the sealing there will be literal Jews from the lineage of the
Jews. They used Romans 11, Jeremiah, and Isaiah and they interpret all the covenant promises from
the OT and apply it literally to the literal Jews. (The book of Romans shows that only those who
have true heart circumcision become the seed of Abraham. All the covenant promises transfer to
spiritual Israel. Rom 2:28-29; 9-11) they believe God will establish a new nation, and that the
144,000 will go to literal Jerusalem and begin to rule the world before Jesus comes the second time.
(This is from the papacy) They said that the 10 tribes of Israel were scattered everywhere and we
don’t know if we have a Jewish blood line or not. They are saying you must have literal Jewish blood
to be a part of the 144,000, and this is because they ignore the Bible principle of interpretation.
"God utter voice from holy habitation…captivity turned" –This is the voice of God announcing
the day and the hour of Christ coming. See 1T 353-354
1T 353-354 At the transfiguration, Jesus was glorified by His Father. We hear Him say: "Now is the
Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him." Thus before His betrayal and crucifixion He was
strengthened for His last dreadful sufferings. As the members of the body of Christ approach the
period of their last conflict, "the time of Jacob's trouble," they will grow up into Christ, and will
partake largely of His spirit. As the third message swells to a loud cry, and as great power and glory
attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which
revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with the
glory of that light which attends the third angel.
I saw that God will in a wonderful manner preserve His people through the time of trouble. As
Jesus poured out His soul in agony in the garden, they will earnestly cry and agonize day and night
for deliverance. The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives; but they will not yield, and trample under
their feet the Sabbath of the Lord, and honor an institution of papacy. Satan's host and wicked men
will surround them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for them.
But in the midst of their revelry and triumph, there is heard peal upon peal of the loudest thunder.
The heavens have gathered blackness, and are only illuminated by the blazing light and terrible glory
from heaven, as God utters His voice from His holy habitation.
The foundations of the earth shake; buildings totter and fall with a terrible crash. The sea boils like
a pot, and the whole earth is in terrible commotion. The captivity of the righteous is turned, and with
sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one another: "We are delivered. It is the voice of God."
With solemn awe they listen to the words of the voice. The wicked hear, but understand not the
words of the voice of God. They fear and tremble, while the saints rejoice. Satan and his angels, and
wicked men, who had been exulting that the people of God were in their power, that they might
destroy them from off the earth, witness the glory conferred upon those who have honored the holy
law of God. They behold the faces of the righteous lighted up and reflecting the image of Jesus. Those
who were so eager to destroy the saints cannot endure the glory resting upon the delivered ones, and
they fall like dead men to the earth. Satan and evil angels flee from the presence of the saints
glorified. Their power to annoy them is gone forever.
25:31 A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations,
he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
25:32 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great
whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.
25:33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of
the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
25:34 ¶ Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the
days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
25:35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
25:36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for
the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
25:37 And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the
oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.
Chapter 26 – Jeremiah threatened with Death
Chapter 26 is connected with Chapter 7. In these two chapters Jeremiah is rebuking the church. He
is saying that it will be like Shiloh. Do not believe this temple is the temple of the Lord. If you don’t
have the spirit of the true temple of God you will be like Shiloh. You can make a good sermon out of
this chapter.
26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the
LORD, saying,
26:2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah,
which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them;
diminish not a word:
26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil,
which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
26:4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law,
which I have set before you,
26:5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early,
and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
26:6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
26:7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the
house of the
LORD.
26:8 ¶ Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had
commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took
him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
26:9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this
city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the
house of the LORD.
26:10 ¶ When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the
house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house.
26:11Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is
worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
26:12 ¶ Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to
prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and
the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
26:14 As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
26:15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon
yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me
unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
26:16 ¶ Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not
worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.
26:17 Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
26:18 Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people
of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall
become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
26:19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and
besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus
might we procure great evil against our souls.
26:20 And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of
Kirjath–jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of
Jeremiah:
26:21 And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the
king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
26:22 And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men
with him into Egypt.
26:23 And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew
him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
26:24 Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give
him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Chapter 27 – The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar
27:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto from
the LORD, saying,
27:2 Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
27:3 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and
to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem
unto Zedekiah king of Judah;
27:4 And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus
shall ye say unto your masters;
27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by
my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
27:6 And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my
servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
27:7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come:
and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.
27:8 And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of
Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the
pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
27:9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your
enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
27:10 For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you
out, and ye should perish.
27:11 But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those
will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.
27:12 ¶ I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks
under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
27:13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the
LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?
27:14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not
serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
27:15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive
you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
27:16 Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the
words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall
now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
27:17 Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid
waste?
27:18 But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession
to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king
of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
27:19 ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning
the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
27:20 Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son
of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
27:21 Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the
house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
27:22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the
LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
Chapter 28 – Hananiah the False Prophet
28:1 And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the
fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon,
spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
28:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of
Babylon.
28:3 Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
28:4 And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives
of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
28:5 ¶ Then the prophet said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the
presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
28:6 Even the prophet said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast
prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from
Babylon into this place.
28:7 Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
28:8 The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many
countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
28:9 The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then
shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
28:10 ¶ Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.
28:11 And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I
break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two
full years. And the prophet went his way.
28:12 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came unto the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken
the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
28:13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou
shalt make for them yokes of iron.
28:14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all
these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have
given him the beasts of the field also.
28:15 ¶ Then said the prophet unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent
thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
28:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou
shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
28:17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
Chapter 29 – Jeremiah’s letter to the Exiles | Shemaiah’s False Prophecy
This also shows the 70 year prophecy. Over and over again we see that after Jeremiah announces
the destruction and judgment of Jerusalem and God’s people. He then talks about restoration, hope,
and the future glory.
Jer 29:10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit
you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
App: When we denounce the apostasy that is in the church, we should have the same attitude and
spirit that Jeremiah had, we must give them hope of restoration. Whenever God pronounces
judgment and destruction of God’s people, always hope, restoration, and future glory is given. When
we preach straight messages, denouncing the sins and the apostasies in the church, we ought to
have the same spirit and same attitudes in our church: give them hope of restoration!
29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the
residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all
the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
29:2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem,
and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)
29:3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of
Judah sent
unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
29:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have
caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your
daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not
diminished.
29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto
the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
29:8 ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that
be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
29:9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
29:10 ¶ For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and
perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end.
29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather
you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will
bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
29:15 ¶ Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
29:16 Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the
people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
29:17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the
pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
29:18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver
them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing,
and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
29:19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my
servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
29:20 ¶ Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem
to Babylon:
29:21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son
of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying,
The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
29:23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their
neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I
know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
29:24 ¶ Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
29:25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy
name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to
all the priests, saying,
29:26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in
the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put
him in prison, and in the stocks.
29:27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet
to you?
29:28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell
in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
29:30 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
29:31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the
Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to
trust in a lie:
29:32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he
shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my
people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.
Chapter 30 – Restoration for Israel and Judah | The Time of Jacob’s
Trouble
Promise of Restoration.
Sermon: Battle of Armageddon.
Before we get to the new covenant experience of chapter 31, Jeremiah talks about Jacob’s time of
trouble in chapter 30.
30:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
30:2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee
in a book.
30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and
Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they
shall possess it.
Through Jeremiah the Lord is saying I will bring my people Israel and restore them into Jerusalem.
He is speaking about those who were scattered through the regions and bring them back.
30:4 ¶ And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
30:5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Before the Lord brings them back to Judah to restore them, He is going to allow them to have a
special experience. What is it?
30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his
hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
A man doesn’t deliver children, but he is having pains like he is having a baby.
30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be
saved out of it.
Read Louis Were statements on prophets saw co-mingled; used description in past to describe
future event. Read EGW quotes first…
I wonder if anyone reading this will go this time of trouble. We are close. Very close!! And if
someone in this room will go through this time, guess what? Jeremiah saw you. He saw you with a
voice of trembling and your hands on your loins, if you are faithful that is.
When you read verses 5-7 Jeremiah is uses old testament language to describe an event in the
future. If you think about it, what other language could he use? The way they spoke then is not the
way we speak now. The way their customs were are different from our customs now. But just think
God showed him this around the time of Zedekiah 597 B.C. and He showed him when Christ would
cease from being our intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary. That is at least sometime past 2010. So
the only language he could use to express that seen was the language he knew. That is why these
scenes taken from the future would be couched in Old Testament language. And the nature of the
prophets was to use a story or historical event in the past to describe an event in the future.
“It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble” – Seventh-day Adventist have a unique concept of Jacob’s
trouble:
SMALL TIME OF TROUBLE GREAT TIME OF TROUBLE
SEVEN LAST PLAGUES

Sunday Close of Second
Law Probation Coming
nnnnn
Keep in mind that “small” and “great” indicates intensity, not length. In fact, the small time of
trouble will be longer than the great time of trouble. In Sixth plagues, we have the battle of
Armageddon. Armageddon means “Har-Megiddo”: Mount of Megiddo. Megiddo is right under the
Mt. Carmel. That’s means that it’s the battle of the Mt. Carmel. We cannot take this as literal battle
since the whole world can’t gather to the Mt. Carmel to fight. It’s a symbolic language. This whole
earth will be place for the battle of Armageddon. The wicked are going to make war with God by
attacking His saints, the 144,000. That’s the time of Jacob’s trouble. When Jacob was in the river
Jabbok, Esau was coming with 400 soldiers to kill him. In this Jacob’s trouble, whole world is
coming to kill Jacob, Israel: overcomers. That’s the battle of Armageddon.
When that happens, the seventh plague is the destruction of Babylon by natural disaster: the
greatest earthquake, and gigantic hails. That time, with the greatest earthquake, special
resurrection will take place. All these people will come up and stand with the 144,000 together. But
they are not the 144,000. There are strange ideas going on in our church that this 144,000 is every
redeemed people after 1844. But inspiration tells us that this 144,000 are the one who went
through the Jacob’s trouble, and stand without the mediator after the close of probation! They are
living saints who did not taste the death!
At the time of close of probation, God is going to perform a miracle in our mind, that is “blotting out
of sin” experience. Though we know that we were sinful sinners in the past, we will not be able to
bring those sins into our memories. And when we come to Jacob’s trouble, Satan who still
remembers our sins, start to torture us by making us feel guilty, to lose faith. Similar experience
that Jesus went through on the cross. But what a wonderful experience it will be to suffer for God.
Whole universe are watching us: they will see what Jesus” blood has done to this souls. When
wicked people come to slay us, heaven will be going to parted, and a big pillar of light will come
down from the throne of God, and stays in the middle of the air, and splits through out to the world.
That lights will go to every single prevailing saints, the 144,000, and that stays in their head like a
rainbow. All these wicked people will see the rainbow and glory, the light above their head, and
they will be shocked and astonished. Realizing that they have been deceived, they will tear their
leaders in pieces. That is the battle of Armageddon.
Time of Trouble – GC 615-16 "As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout
Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the
Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them
objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an
institution of the church and a law of the state ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for
them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness... This argument
will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of
the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the
people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. The people of God will then be plunged
into those scenes of affliction and distress described by the prophet as the time of Jacob’s
trouble [Jer 30:5-7 quoted]"
Prior to 2nd Coming – PP 201 "Jacob’s experience during that night of wrestling and anguish
represents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ’s second coming.
The prophet Jeremiah, in holy vision looking down to this time, said, [Jer 30:5-7 quoted].. When
Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin."
30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy
neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 29:5-10 [5] For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of
peace. [6] Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man
with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? [7] Alas! for
that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out
of it. [8] For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from
off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: [9] But
they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. [10] ¶
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I
will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and
shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Jacob is the pronoun for Israel. Jacob is referring to the 12 tribes.
Illus: In America it is a custom for the fathers to go into the hospital room while his wife has a child.
In this experience you see a woman travail and cry in birth.
When the Bible says that the man puts his hands on his loins for pain and their face becomes pale.
This is the same expression for birth pains. Women put their hands on their lions. But the women
endure because they love their babies. As soon as they deliver they forget the pain. Before God
brings His people back into Israel He allows them to go through this experience. SDA’s are the only
denomination that has a unique understanding of Jacob’s trouble. What is it? When does Jacob’s
time of trouble begin? We have 3 events: National Sunday Law, Close of probation, and the
Second coming.
The little time of trouble is from the National Sunday Law to the Close Of Probation. From the close
of probation to the second coming is the great time of trouble. We call them this not because of the
length, but because of the intensity. Also keep in mind that Ellen White never mentions these terms
of a great or little time of trouble, but for the sake of understanding the differenes, the words are
used. The little time of trouble is going to be longer. The 7 last plagues will make the intensity of the
great time of trouble harder to bear. No other nation will experience this time.
What is the sixth plague? The battle of Armageddon. Armageddon means mount of Megiddo. This
refers to the battle that took place on Mount Carmel. In Palestine you see the Mt. Carmel and below
you see a valley that is the plain of Megiddo. (Objection: The world interprets that as the whole
world coming to Palestine to destroy the Jews at that time. It is too small for this.) this is symbolic
language. It means mount of congregation. This means that the whole earth will participate in the
battle of Armageddon.
On Mount Carmel we see the battle between Elijah and the priests of Baal. But the whole earth will
come against God in the day of the battle of the Lord to fight against God. But how will they make
war against God while He is in heaven? Through His saints. The world is going to try to eliminate
the 144,000 from off the face of the earth. This is Jacob’s time of trouble.
Remember that when Jacob had trouble in Genesis he was fleeing from his brother. He was coming
with 400 soldiers to kill him. So it is the same. All the world Esau is trying to kill Jacob, who is that?
Israel the over comers. This is Jacob’s time of trouble. When this happens we see the seventh plague
take place in Revelation 16. This is the destruction of Babylon by natural disaster two things: The
greatest earthquake that we have ever experienced and Hail, a big ice storm.
When the greatest earthquake shakes the earth, at this time the special resurrection will take place
and they will stand with the 144,000. (study) this shows us clearly that the 144,000 are literal. They
will be resurrected and stand with them, but they are not one of them. Those from 1844 and on will
come up in the special resurrection. EGW she talked about a woman that would be resurrected and
stand with them. She told this to Mr. Hastings. She told him not to weep because she died.
Objection: People say that the sealing began in 1844 and only a few will be left in our time to finish
the numbering. We don’t agree with this because she says the 144,000 go through Jacob’s time of
trouble. And they stand without a mediator and see all of the plagues. (GC)
Jacob’s time of trouble is completed after the sixth plague, before the 7th plague. When the
earthquake comes those from the special resurrection will stand with them and they will hear the
announcement of when He will come (Jesus announces or God?) Those from 1844 will not come
back and go through the six plagues. The 144,000 are living saints from the NSL until the 2nd
coming. Why is it called Jacob’s time of trouble? In Jacob’s life he had two groups of people that
caused grief at that time. He was being hunted by Labon and Esau. He cheated Labon and Esau for
wealth and a birthright. No he is going back, the only place he could go back was to his homeland.
The custom back then was that you could not go into any other region unless you had approval
from the chief of the land. He went to Labon because he had permission, so when he left where
could he go? Back home. Then Esau was coming, he sent his family ahead and at the Jabok river he
began to pray. And Jesus came. He wrestled with him and said I will not let you go unto you bless
me. In the GC she says at the time of the COP. God will blot out our sins. He is going to erase the
memory of our sins from our mind. They will not be able to bring (3SG, PP, GC) them to mind. When
He blots our record from the book, He also blots it out of our mind.
So during the time of the 7 last plagues. Satan knows what we all have done. Even though God
erased our memory, Satan remembers them, he comes and says you think you are sealed, I’ll show
you what you have done in your past. And you will wonder if you are forgiven. Why are they coming
back to me? This is what Jesus went through on the cross. He said why hast thou forsaken me? The
144,000 will go through the same experience that Christ went through from the garden of
Gethsemane until He said it is finished. That is why she says that the angels were going to come
rescue Jesus, but Gabriel said no, let Him drink the bitter cup. So now with the 144,000 when they
are in anguish they will want to come, but Gabriel will say no, let them drink the cup. Same thing.
And all of the universe will be watching us. Right when the come to slaughter us. Our faces will
become pale. We will place our hands on our loins. Then heaven will part and we will see Christ
coming. Heaven will part and a pillar of light will come from the sanctuary and it will stay in the
middle of the air and the light splits and goes to every member of the 144,000 who are praying for
light. And the light will rest on their face as a rainbow. And those who are coming to kill them and
realize that they were wrong. Then they will go and hunt their leaders and tare them to pieces. THIS
IS THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON. In order for us to go through this we must have our sins purged
before time. Before He restores us and brings us into the land of Canaan we must go through
something. What is that? Jacob’s time of trouble This experience was never fulfilled in literal Israel.
It will be fulfilled in spiritual Israel after the close of probation.
(Sermon notes: This is good sermon material. This is how you draw out a sermon. Read it over and
over until the truth cries out, or until you hear the voice. After this do a word study "Jacob’s time of
trouble" what does this mean?
If you do this you are preaching the word of God. Not our own word. With the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit God will speak through Christians through you.)
“in that day” – What day is this? When Jacob goes through Jacob’s time of trouble. Then Jacob’s
from all over the world will return to New Jerusalem. The land of promise the true restoration. In
Jeremiah we see more than the history of literal history, we see the future too.
30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
30:10 ¶ Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for,
lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and
shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
“save them from afar" – Same emphasis being repeated
30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I
have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not
leave thee altogether unpunished.
30:12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.
30:13 There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
30:14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of
an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were
increased.
30:15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity:
because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
30:16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them,
shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for
a prey.
30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they
called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
30:18 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on
his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after
the manner thereof.
“bring again the captivity" – Same thing
30:19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will
multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
30:20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me,
and I will punish all that oppress them.
30:21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them;
and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart
to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
30:22 And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Where does this phrase come from? Covenant language. And it comes after the turning of their
captivity.
30:23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with
pain upon the head of the wicked.
30:24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed
the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
"latter days" – So in the last days we are going to understand and consider something more fully
what is that? The fierce anger of the Lord not returning, and God being our God.
Summary
Explain transferring of the covenants. Recap 25, 27-29. Show quote about these are the chapters
that Daniel studied in the first year of Darius the Mede. Daniel 9 and 11. Jer 25:12 wrath of God
poured on Babylon Jer 27 yokes sent to Edom, Moab, Ammon, etc. bringing vessels back to the
sanctuary. Jer 28 false prophets prophesying; Jer 29 bringing people out of the land of the north.
You must study these chapters when studying Daniel 9 and 11. No wonder Daniel mentions Edom,
Moab, and Ammon.
By understanding that the prophets saw a dual picture this is what we have: Louis Were Pg. 135
 Israel & Judah Literal/Local
 Israel & Judah Spiritual/Worldwide
 Captivity L/L
 Captivity S/W
 Jacob’s trouble L/L
 Jacob’s trouble S/W
This also falls under the concept of type and antitype or typology in prophecy.
Chapter 31 – Covenant Promise to Israel and Judah
New Covenant.
Jer 31:31-33 [31] ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their
fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
Ezek 36:24-28 [24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries,
and will bring you into your own land. [25] ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall
be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will
I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your
flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to
walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land
that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Heb 10:15-17 [15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my
laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I
remember no more.
Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was
hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount
Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon
you.
Jer 31:15 Rachel Weeping – 2SM 259 "You inquire in regard to your little one’s being saved…
Remember the prophecy, [Jer 31:15-17 quoted] This promise is yours. You may be comforted and
trust in the Lord. The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away
before the time of trouble. We shall see our children again. We shall meet them and know them in
the heavenly courts. "
Jer 31:35-37 Conditional - DA 106 " The Jews had misinterpreted God’s promise of eternal favor
to Israel: ‘thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon
and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of
hosts is His name: If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel
also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be
measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of
Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord." Jer. 31:35-37. The Jews regarded their natural
descent from Abraham as giving them a claim to this promise. But they overlooked the
conditions which God had specified. Before giving the promise, He had said, "I will put My law in
their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. . . .
For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jer. 31:33, 34. To a people in
whose hearts His law is written, the favor of God is assured."
Father Delivers Covenant – LDE 273 ‘the atmosphere parted and rolled back. Then we could look up
through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God…Soon we heard the voice of God
like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus” coming. As God spoke the day and the
hour of Jesus” coming, and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence,
and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. "
Son speaks to Father on Throne -- GC 636 ‘then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of
God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company… By the people of God a voice,
clear and melodious, is heard, saying, "Look up," and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they
behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and
like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of man
seated upon His throne… In His divine form they discern the marks of His humiliation; and from
His lips they hear the request presented before His Father and the holy angels: "I will that they
also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." John 17:24. Again a voice, musical and
triumphant, is heard, saying: ‘they come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They have kept
the word of My patience; they shall walk among the angels;""
Diff between old and new cov – " Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life
may be gained are the same as under the old--perfect obedience. Under the old covenant, there
were many offenses of a daring, presumptuous character, for which there was no atonement
specified by law. In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the transgressors of
law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour. "As many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God." Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ
trusting in His merits to take away their sins. In the better covenant we are cleansed from sin by the
blood of Christ (Letter 276, 1904). 7BC 931.10"
Chapter Outline
 God’s promise to gather the scattered of Israel, and to establish Judah and Israel together in
the land of Judah (1-30)
 New covenant promise (31-34)
 Promise that Israel would be a nation forever (35-37)
 Promise of a city that was to be built (38-40)
31:1 At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my
people.
31:2 Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even
Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Contextually and historically it refers to the people of Israel who were scattered among the nations.
They were saved from the sword and this was by the grace of God. He caused “him” meaning Israel
to rest because they didn’t have to run from their enemies. They were drawn back to God and back
to the land of Israel because God’s love was revealed to them by sparing them from the sword.
See PK 474
Last Day App: But this also applies to the end of time when God will be God of "all families of
Israel."
Rev 21:1-4 [1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea. [2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. [4] And God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
31:4 Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with
thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
31:5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat
them as common things.
Verses 5 and 6 were fulfilled in the history of Israel, but the full meaning of these verses will be seen
in heaven.
Isa 65:21-23 [21] And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and
eat the fruit of them. [22] They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another
eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of
their hands. [23] They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the
blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
31:6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us
go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
31:7 For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations:
publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and
with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a
great company shall return thither.
Verses 8-12 show the same thing especially v.12 ‘sorrow anymore at all." Many people will return.
This is the prophecy. That was God’s intent, but again it will be fulfilled with us in the earth made
new.
31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by
the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and
Ephraim is my firstborn.
31:10 ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that
scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
31:11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger
than he.
31:12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of
the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their
soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their
mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
31:14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my
goodness, saith the LORD.
31:15 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel
weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
We see another judgment here. This text was used in Matthew when Herod killed the children to
destroy Jesus.
Matt 2:17-18 [17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, [18] In
Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for]
her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Illus: Matthew was a tax collector, an accountant, they are very organized and detailed. That is why
this book is very organized. Right here Matthew says that this prophecy has been fulfilled right
here. How?
In Jeremiah we don’t see that, it isn’t talking about babies per say, but the Holy Spirit told Matthew
that this was the fulfillment. How? Ramah is located near Jerusalem. It is on the southeast end. This
place use to be a place where the Babylonians came with their captives and prisoners. This was the
place where they would gather the slaves. They would call them here to this square. They would
chain them and by ranks they took them to Babylon.
Ramah was symbolic for a gathering place where the slaves would go to Babylon. It was near
Bethlehem. There use to be a tune for Rachel, this was Jacob’s most beloved wife. Her nickname was
the mother of Israel because she begat Joseph and Benjamin. And Joseph rescued all of Israel, all of
his brothers. Rachel would not be comforted, she kept weeping, why? Because her sons were in
captivity. It is talking about all the 12 tribes. They were in captivity to all of the heathen countries.
This is why Matthew said because of your apostasy all the children in Bethlehem are being killed by
Herod because you refuse the Messiah. (study) Rachel’s children are right here. If she was
resurrected she would refuse to be comforted. This is what Matthew is saying.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I
will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I
will also forget thy children.
When we forget God’s knowledge God rejects us. If we forget God’s law, God will forget out children.
This is the result and consequence of the Jews when they did this. This is why all those babies were
killed in Bethlehem. The Jews refused to obey God’s law.
When we reject God and His law we reap our own consequences. In AD 70 read Josephus on the
destruction of Jerusalem. The writing is very sobering. He said there were so many crosses outside
of the Jerusalem wall because they tried to escape too late. When they were caught they crucified
them. There were mobs in Jerusalem at this time. They came to power, there were not any priests,
etc. they were murdering and robbing their own people. Children were eaten. This all happened
because they rejected the law of God.
Note: When you can’t find those who you stole from pay the money to God. This is a trespass
offering. You can still be saved if you don’t but you do it because the Holy Spirit places it in the heart
to do it.
"Ramah" – This city is located in Benjamin. A town in Benjamin on the border of Ephraim about 5
miles (8 km) from Jerusalem and near to Gibeah which was a place inhabited by the Benjamites
after the return from captivity (fulfilled prophecy). We know this was used by the Holy Spirit in
Matt 2:17,18 regarding the death of the babies in Bethlehem. But Rachel was dead. Why did this
event apply to her? What was her work that was to be rewarded? She had two children. Joseph and
Benjamin. But the Bible says she had 14 sons.
Gen 46:19-22 These [are] the sons of Rachel,.. all the souls [were] fourteen.
Ruth 4:11 And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The
LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did
build the house of Israel:
This verse shows her work, she was responsible for building up the house of Israel. So think of all of
the men that could have come from all of those Babies that died. Only God knows how many faithful
men could have been used for him. But the land of the enemy also means by application the grave.
Based on this prophecy we are going to see a lot of those babies in heaven. Her work will be
rewarded. But notice how EGW (2SM 259) uses this verse. She applies this verse many times in
reference to children being put to death and God bringing them back. Many babies will be put to
death before the time of trouble.
31:16 Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall
be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
31:17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own
border.
31:18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was
chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the
LORD my God.
31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I
was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
31:20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly
remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith
the LORD.
31:21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the highway, even the way
which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel, turn again to these thy cities.
31:22 ¶ How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new
thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
31:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of
Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O
habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
31:24 And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they
that go forth with flocks.
31:25 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
31:26 Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.
31:27 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah
with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
31:28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down,
and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith
the LORD.
31:29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth
are set on edge.
31:30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall
be set on edge.
31:31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel,
and with the house of Judah:
“I will make a new covenant” – Verses 31 to 34 include the new covenant promise. It doesn’t end
with God putting the law in their hearts and minds, it includes "forgive their iniquity, and I will
remember their sin no more."This also shows us the condition that had to be met in order for the
Jews to be God’s people forever.
DA 106
31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the
hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband
unto them, saith the LORD:
31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the
LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they
shall be my people.
31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
31:35 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and
of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is
his name:
“shall all know me" – Why is this important? What does this show us? In the beginning they didn’t
know the Lord, now He is saying they will know the Lord. They broke the covenant in chapters 11-
15 now it is restored, but as a result of them breaking the covenant there was a record of their sins
in two places: heart and on the altars, but now He will remember their sin no more. Showing that
God’s ultimate purpose was to blot out their sins. For them it would be done by faith, but through
the new covenant we will experience the reality of the blotting out of sin in two places: the heart
and the altars (the books in heaven.) allowing our names to be written among the living, which is
why the saints will be rewarded with the covenant at the second coming. Eternal life, the final
blessing.
LDE 273
Father delivers the covenant
GC 636
Verses 35-37 include the promise that Israel would be a nation forever. This promise transfers
over.
Verses 35-36 I believe this happened when Jesus died on the cross. Once the sun, moon, and stars
ceased to shine before the Lord. This was a sign to let the Jews know that soon they would no
longer be a nation. (check)
DA 753 Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to
look upon the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when
suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross.
‘there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." There was no eclipse or other natural
cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars.
31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease
from being a nation before me for ever.
31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched
out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
31:38 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of
Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
Verses 38-40 included the promise of a city that was to be built. This city is seen in Ezekiel 40-48.
31:39 And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass
about to Goath.
31:40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of
Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the LORD; it shall not be
plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
Chapter 32 – Redemption and the New Covenant
The Book of Jeremiah from chapters 32 and on, it has the historical account of them making
Jeremiah the governor of Judea for the remnant. Then there was Ishmael. He was a Jew from the
country of Moab. He came up and killed Goliah, and joined them and became a leader of the
remnant people. And he pulled the people together and went to Egypt and Jeremiah was with him.
We presume the Jeremiah died in Egypt. From Egypt Jeremiah prophesied about the coming of
Babylon. He told the people to go back to Judah and submit to Babylon until God judges Babylon.
Jeremiah wrote 51 chapters and Buruch wrote chapter 52. He gave a historical account a summary
of what happened to the destruction of Jerusalem
Reading
 PK 45-47
Sermon: Good for communion. 17 pieces of silver = 30 pieces of silver "17 pieces for an Ox" *(PO
interesting observation Rev 4 we see that one of the beast that was to represent Christ’s character
was an “Ox”),
Doctrines: Doctrine of the Godhead is defended
Matt 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the
thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
This became the burial sight for Judas Iscariot. It was really a fulfillment of Zechariah.
Zech 11:13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of
them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
This prophecy was literally fulfilled. Why did Matthew say Jeremiah? Zech said one thing about this
event, but there were more illusions to this in the book of Jeremiah, and we will see this in Jer 32.
Redemption in Jeremiah – What is the meaning of redemption? To buy back; this word became
the word for our salvation. Jesus is going to purchase or buy us back by His blood. The book of
Jeremiah is a beautiful book. It is one harmonious chain. If you notice carefully God will teach
something in relationship to the condition of the people. And then he will bring in a story to
illustrate His point. Like He said your hearts have departed from me, can a Ethiopian change his
spots? The heart is deceitful above all things, who can know? And then He gave a story of the potter.
Then He says execute justice and judgment in the land, free those who are oppressed, if not I will
send you into captivity, and I will deliver the oppressed. And He gives an illustration of the good figs
and bad figs. Which also shows in the last days He will deliver the good figs who will be oppressed.
Then I will bring back everyone from the land of captivity and will establish them in the land. So
now what do you think the next illustration will be about? Establishing them in the land. So you
have the story of Jeremiah buying the land from his uncle. You see?
32:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which
was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
This verse is very important because it was taking place while they were already being besieged. It
is the 10th month of Zedekiah, and God tells Jeremiah to buy land.
32:2 For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in
the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
32:3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus
saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
32:4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be
delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes
shall behold his eyes;
32:5 And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though
ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
32:6 ¶ And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
32:7 Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field
that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
“Right of Redemption” –In Jeremiah we see that the land is being bought back. The custom
according to Lev. 25 God says you shall not sell your land forever. God says the land is His. What
does this mean? This world is in Satan’s possession because of your sins. But I will recover this land.
I will redeem it. God is going to purchase it back “for the right of redemption is Mine.” This means
that God is the owner. We gave the ownership to Satan by sinning, but God will buy it back. This is
what God is saying in Lev.
Jubilee – What laws did they have to buy and sale back then? We have the concept of the Jubilee.
The jubilee is after 7 sabbatical years. After every 7 Sabbatical years you celebrate the Jubilee. After
every seven Sabbatical years: 49 years, the 50th years will be the Jubilee. The cycle in 49 years not
50. Although it will be already the first year of next Sabbatical cycle. In this year, they send all the
slaves and servants home free, forgive all the debts, return all the lands to the original owner. This
is a picture of the redemption of this earth When Jesus comes, we all are going to be free. When
Jesus comes no more slavery or sin, just total redemption.
Every Sabbatical year, the land will rest. On Jubilee year, also the land will rest. Therefore the land
will rest for two years on Jubilee year. So they needed to store 3 years of food on 48th year. When
they were faithful, God always blessed them on those years. Illus: if we would have followed this we
wouldn’t have any barren lands. ON the 51st year they sow the seed. They need 3 years of food to
sustain them. On the 48th year God gave them enough food to sustain them for 3 years.
The value of the land was calculated by the usage of the land, then they multiplied it by the number
of years left for Jubilee. (1,000 x 10 years = 10,000). When It’s sold, the original owner can purchase
it back any time. If a man cannot make good out of his land and sold his land, and he used up all the
money that he got, now he has no land, no money, then his nearest relative had to come and buy it
back the land for him. That’s redemption. Jeremiah was nearest relative/kin to Hanameel. In this
chapter. Even though Jeremiah was in prison he came to him. His relative knew that Babylon would
respect him because he prophesied for them to submit under his authority. So redeem us. So
according to the commandment of Jesus Christ, Jeremiah bought it back. He bought it not for
himself but he gave it to his cousin.
On the Jubilee year they sell it according to the value that the land can produce. Ex. How many crops
can I get? This determined the value. Then they ask how many years are left until the jubilee? If 10
they times the amount that can be produced by 10. This kept it fair. After they rebelled they didn’t
return the land. For the poor person if they only have 10 acres and he wasn’t making enough
income for his family, he sells the land to a rich person. Then they use up all the money, and he has
no land. Now his family will die. At this time God gave another law. The nearest kin or relative can
come and buy back the land for them. THIS IS CALLED THE LAW OF REDEMPTION. Even if the land
had 10 years until the Jubilee the owner can come back and buy it back. And they are required to
sell it back. This symbolizes that Jesus owns this world. This was a spiritual lesson for them to learn.
YOU CAN MAKE A SERMON OUT OF THIS. IT IS A LIVING ILLUSTRATION!
32:8 So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the
LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of
Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew
that this was the word of the LORD.
How much money did Jeremy pay? 17 shekels of silver. This was according to the Babylonian value.
It was equal to One Ox, or 9 sheep. It was equal to 30 pieces of silver at the time of Jesus Christ in
the value of Judea. This is why the priest paid Judas 30 pieces of silver for Jesus Christ. It was the
price for one good man as a slave. (or one good ox)
*PO Sermon "17 pieces for an Ox." This connects with Matthew 27; this chapter has a strong illusion
to the 30 pieces of silver.
“New Covenant” – The only difference between the Old and New Covenant is the attitude of the
people. Both of the covenant has this condition of obeying His law (“Fear” always means obey). In
Old Covenant they didn’t know their sinful condition and said that they will obey the law. In New
Covenant we understand our sinful condition and say that we are unable to obey unless God help us
and change our heart and give us new heart. So New Covenant has to do with the change of the
heart of God’s people. The attitude is different.
The New Covenant:
Ezek 36:24-28 [24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries,
and will bring you into your own land. [25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be
clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I
give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in
my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I
gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Jer 31:31-33 [31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with
their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
Finger of God meant “the power of God.”
Ex 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God.
Ex 31:18 two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
This Finger of God is the Holy Spirit
Lk 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon
you.
Matt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Ps 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast
ordained;
Ps 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
The New Covenant is Written In Our Heart by HS
Heb 10:16, 17 [16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I
will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and
iniquities will I remember no more.
2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us,
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of
the heart.
Side note Redemption in Ruth: In the book of Ruth Naomi’s husband’s name was Elimilech. He had
land and because of the famine he sold his land. And he and his family moved south to Moab. Then
their son’s married to women from Moah Ruth and Orpah. The father and sons died and the mother
wanted to go back. And then Ruth said no she went with her. She took her to Bethlehem the place of
Jesse, the father of David. Study this book and make sermons from it. Boaz comes in as kinsman to
redeem the land back for them. Naomi sold the land and there were a few years to the jubilee but
they needed to be sustained. The land was bought back and given to them. Then Ruth and Boaz had
Obed the Father of David.
32:9 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the
money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
32:10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in
the balances.
32:11 So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and
custom, and that which was open:
32:12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the
sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the
purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
32:13 ¶ And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
32:14 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase,
both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may
continue many days.
32:15 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be
possessed again in this land.
This is the whole point of chapter 32. You can read it in PK Ch.38. But Jeremiah was loosing faith, he
was an old man at this time, and he prays a prayer. (You must modernize the language)
32:16 ¶ Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed
unto the LORD, saying,
32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched
out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
In verse 17 Jeremiah is proclaiming the characteristics of God. He got this from chapter 10. But this
attributes are to describe how mighty God is. And look at what he says in
Jer 33:24 …mounts…
Look at the, look at the engines of warfare that are taring down our walls, people are dying…and
you say to me
Jer 33:25 …buy the field…
The whole land belongs to Babylon.
32:18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into
the bosom of
their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men:
to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
32:20 Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and
among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
32:21 And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and
with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
32:22 And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing
with milk and honey;
32:23 And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they
have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to
come upon them:
32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the
Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what
thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
32:25 And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the
city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
32:26 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
32:28 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into
the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
32:29 And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with
the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto
other gods, to provoke me to anger.
32:30 For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth:
for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
32:31 For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they
built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
32:32 Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to
provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of
Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
32:33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early
and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
32:34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their
sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither
came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
32:36 ¶ And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It
shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the
pestilence;
32:37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in
my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell
safely:
32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them,
and of their children after them:
32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do
them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my
whole heart and with my whole soul.
32:42 For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring
upon them all the good that I have promised them.
32:43 And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is
given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
32:44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the
land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the
mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to
return, saith the LORD.
Chapter 33 – Promise of Peace
This chapter is a covenant chapter, where God specifies what would have happened to His people if
they would have been faithful. It was not done therefore it applies to our time when this promise
will be fulfilled with Spiritual Israel.
33:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of
the prison, saying,
33:2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his
name;
33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest
not.
33:4 For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the
houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;
33:5 They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I
have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.
33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the
abundance of peace and truth.
33:7 And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at
the first.
33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will
pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
33:9 ¶ And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth,
which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness
and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
33:10 Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate
without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are
desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride,
the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth
for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to
return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
33:12 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without
beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
33:13 In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land
of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again
under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.
33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised
unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
33:15 ¶ In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David;
and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name
wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
33:17 ¶ For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of
Israel;
33:18 Neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle
meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
33:19 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,
33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and
that there should not be day and night in their season;
33:21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to
reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply
the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
33:23 Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
33:24 Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath
chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a
nation before them.
33:25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the
ordinances of heaven and earth;
33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed
to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and
have mercy on them.
Chapter 34 – Zedekiah to Die in Babylon
Here is a record of the covenant that Zedekiah broke. When the initial invasion of Babylon came in
the ninth year of Zedekiah he proclaimed this covenant to let the servants go free, but then when
Babylon left to go fight Egypt (37:5), he changed his mind. So because of that he is going into
captivity. Now the subject matter is His covenant. He will bring everyone back from the land of
captivity in order to establish His covenant.
34:1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all
his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem,
and against all the cities thereof, saying,
34:2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus
saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with
fire:
34:3 And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand;
and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth,
and thou shalt go to Babylon.
34:4 Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt
not die by the sword:
34:5 But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were
before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; and they will lament thee, saying, Ah lord! for I have
pronounced the word, saith the LORD.
34:6 Then Jeremiah the prophet spake all these words unto Zedekiah king of Judah in Jerusalem,
34:7 When the king of Babylon's army fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Judah that
were left,
against Lachish, and against Azekah: for these defenced cities remained of the cities of Judah.
34:8 This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a
covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them;
Zedekiah did right by making a covenant to let the people go free, but then he recanted. So because
of this God sent him into captivity. The account is from verses 8 to 17.
34:9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an
Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.
34:10 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that
every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve
themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go.
34:11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go
free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
34:12 Therefore the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
34:13 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I
brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,
34:14 At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto
thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers
hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.
34:15 And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his
neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:
34:16 But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his
handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to
be unto you for servants and for handmaids.
34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one
to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to
the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms
of the earth.
34:18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words
of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the
parts thereof,
34:19 The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people
of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;
34:20 I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life:
and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.
34:21 And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the
hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up
from you.
34:22 Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight
against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an
inhabitant.
Chapter 35 – The Obediance of the Rechabites
This chapter covers the story of the Recabites, they listened to their father, but Judah wouldn’t
listen to God. This is the whole point. EGW covers this sufficiently.
35:1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king
of Judah, saying,
35:2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the
LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.
35:3 Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons,
and the whole house of the Rechabites;
35:4 And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of
Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of
Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:
35:5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto
them, Drink ye wine.
35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us,
saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:
35:7 Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye
shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
35:8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged
us, to drink
no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;
35:9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:
35:10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father
commanded us.
35:11 But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said,
Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the
Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.
35:12 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
35:13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
35:14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are
performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I
have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
35:15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying,
Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve
them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not
inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.
35:16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father,
which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
35:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and
upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have
spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
35:18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and
done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
35:19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want
a man to stand before me for ever.
Chapter 36 – Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah’s Scroll
Jeremiah chapter 36 will be repeated in the last days, meaning that the leadership of this church
will burn the writings of EGW to our church. MS 65, 1912
4BC 1159 Now Covering the Same Ground.--[Jeremiah 36:1-7 quoted.] This chapter is a record of
historical events that will be repeated. Let all who desire to receive warning, read carefully.
[Jeremiah 36:22, 23, 27, 28, 32 quoted] (MS 65, 1912).
Again EGW covers this sufficiently. It is important because she says this will happen again. And it is
really dealing with the leadership as well as the members making of non-effect the testimony of the
prophet.
4T 480 Many now despise the faithful reproof given of God in testimony. I have been shown that
some in these days have even gone so far as to burn the written words of rebuke and warning, as did
the wicked king of Israel. But opposition to God's threatenings will not hinder their execution. To
defy the words of the Lord, spoken through His chosen instruments, will only provoke His anger and
eventually bring certain ruin upon the offender. Indignation often kindles in the heart of the sinner
against the agent whom God chooses to deliver His reproofs. It has ever been thus, and the same
spirit exists today that persecuted and imprisoned Jeremiah for obeying the word of the Lord. While
men will not heed repeated warnings, they are pleased with false teachers who flatter their vanity
and strengthen their iniquity, but who will fail to help them in the day of trouble. God's chosen
servants should meet with courage and patience whatever trials and sufferings befall them through
reproach, neglect, or misrepresentations because they faithfully discharge the duty that God has
given them to do. They should remember that the prophets of old and the Saviour of the world also
endured abuse and persecution for the word's sake. They must expect to meet just such opposition as
was manifested by the burning of the roll that was written by the dictation of God.
36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word
came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
36:2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against
Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of
Josiah, even unto this day.
36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they
may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all
the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
36:6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the
LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them
in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
36:7 It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his
evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.
36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him,
reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.
36:9 And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month,
that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that
came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.
36:10 Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of
Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S
house, in the ears of all the people.
36:11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words
of the LORD,
36:12 Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat
there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and
Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
36:13 Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in
the ears of the people.
36:14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi,
unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and
come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
36:15 And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.
36:16 Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and
said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
36:17 And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
36:18 Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote
them with ink in the book.
36:19 Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where
ye be.
36:20 And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the
scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
36:21 So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And
Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
36:22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth
burning before him.
36:23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife,
and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the
hearth.
36:24 Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that
heard all these words.
36:25 Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he
would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
36:26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and
Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.
36:27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the
words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
36:28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which
Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
36:29 And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll,
saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this
land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
36:30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the
throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
36:31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them,
and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced
against them; but they hearkened not.
36:32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote
therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned
in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
Chapter 37 – Zedekiak warns Zedekiah
Zedekiah originally took an oath in the temple to be a servant to Neb. Then he rebelled and
obtained an alliance with Egypt. And now because of that alliance Egypt is coming to Judah’s rescue.
So this is the second time Egypt came against Babylon in defense of Judah. This time they were not a
world power, but they were strong enough to aid, but after this war they were decimated.
37:1 And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
37:2 But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD,
which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.
37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the
priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
37:4 Now came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.
37:5 Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged
Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
37:6 ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
37:7 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me
to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into
their own land.
37:8 And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
37:9 Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for
they shall not depart.
37:10 For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there
remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this
city with fire.
37:11 ¶ And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear
of Pharaoh's army,
37:12 Then went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the
midst of the people.
37:13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah,
the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the
Chaldeans.
37:14 Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so
Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
37:15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the
house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
37:16 ¶ When was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and had remained there many days;
37:17 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and
said, Is there any word from the LORD? And said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the
hand of the king of Babylon.
37:18 Moreover said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or
against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
37:19 Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not
come against you, nor against this land?
37:20 Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted
before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.
37:21 Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit into the court of the prison, and that
they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were
spent. Thus remained in the court of the prison.
Chapter 38 – Jeremiah Cast & Delivered from the Cistern | Warning to
Zedekiah
The people want to kill Jeremiah and they put him in the dungeon where he almost drowned in mud
(Verse 6). But an Ethiopian comes to his rescue. Remember Jer. 13:23, well here you have an
Ethiopian demonstrating that he can be good and execute God’s will. Cover verses 13-20 especially
38:1 Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah,
and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
38:2 Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the
pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and
shall live.
38:3 Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army,
which shall take it.
38:4 Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he
weakeneth
the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such
words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
38:5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing
against you.
38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that
was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no
water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that
they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
38:8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,
38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom
they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no
more bread in the city.
38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with
thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
38:11 So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and
took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to
Jeremiah.
38:12 And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags
under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
38:13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained
in the court of the prison.
38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in
the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
38:15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death?
and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
38:16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this
soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
38:17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou
wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not
be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
38:18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the
hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
38:19 And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans,
lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
38:20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I
speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
38:21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
38:22 And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the
king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed
against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
38:23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape
out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to
be burned with fire.
38:24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
38:25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee,
Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to
death; also what the king said unto thee:
38:26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not
cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.
38:27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these
words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not
perceived.
38:28 So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was
there when Jerusalem was taken.
Chapter 39 – The Fall of Jerusalem | Jeremiah is Delivered
39:1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of
Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
"ninth year" – It goes from there to the "eleventh year." But to get the details as to what happened
in-between you have to go back like to chapter 32 and 37.
39:2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was
broken up.
39:3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer,
Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the
king of Babylon.
39:4 And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then
they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the
two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
39:5 But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and
when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land
of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
39:6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of
Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
39:7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
39:8 And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down
the walls of Jerusalem.
39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the
people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that
remained.
39:10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the
land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
39:11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the
captain of the guard, saying,
39:12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto
thee.
39:13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer,
Rabmag, and
all the king of Babylon's princes;
39:14 Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah
the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
39:15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison,
saying,
39:16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;
Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in
that day before thee.
39:17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the
men of whom thou art afraid.
39:18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey
unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
Chapter 40 – Jeremiah remains in Judah
40:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard
had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried
away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
40:2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced
this evil upon this place.
40:3 Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against
the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
40:4 And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good
unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to
come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and
convenient for thee to go, thither go.
40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of
Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him
among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard
gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
40:6 Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the
people that were left in the land.
40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard
that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed
unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away
captive to Babylon;
40:8 Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and
Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite,
and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
40:9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear
not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye,
gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye
have taken.
40:11 Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that
were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set
over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
40:12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of
Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
40:13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields,
came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
40:14 And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent
Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
40:15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray
thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay
thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah
perish?
40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing:
for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.
Chapter 41 – Gedaliah Murdered
41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of
the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam
to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah
the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made
governor over the land.
41:3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans
that were found there, and the men of war.
41:4 And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
41:5 That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having
their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in
their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he
went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
41:7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew
them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
41:8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in
the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their
brethren.
41:9 Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of
Gedaliah,
was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah
filled it with them that were slain.
41:10 Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the
king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the
guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them
away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
41:11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard
of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
41:12 Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by
the great waters that are in Gibeon.
41:13 Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of
Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
41:14 So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and
went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
41:15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the
Ammonites.
41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the
remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after
that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children,
and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:
41:17 And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter
into Egypt,
41:18 Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had
slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Chapter 42 – Warning against going to Egypt
42:1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of
Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
42:2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee,
and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as
thine eyes do behold us:)
42:3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
42:4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your
God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer
you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you.
42:5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even
according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.
42:6 Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we
send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.
42:7 And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah.
42:8 Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces which were with him,
and all the people from the least even to the greatest,
42:9 And said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto whom ye sent me to present your
supplication
before him;
42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you,
and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
42:11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD:
for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.
42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to
your own land.
42:13 But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
42:14 Saying, No; but we will go into the land of Egypt, where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of
the trumpet, nor have hunger of bread; and there will we dwell:
42:15 And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts,
the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;
42:16 Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of
Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye
shall die.
42:17 So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by
the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil
that I will bring upon them.
42:18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured
forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter
into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall
see this place no more.
42:19 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly
that I have admonished you this day.
42:20 For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us
unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and
we will do it.
42:21 And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God,
nor any
thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.
42:22 Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence,
in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.
Chapter 43 – Jeremiah taken to Egypt
43:1 And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the
words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words,
43:2 Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men,
saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into
Egypt to sojourn there:
43:3 But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the
Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
43:4 So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the
voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah.
43:5 But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that
were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah;
43:6 Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan
the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the
prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
43:7 So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even
to Tahpanhes.
43:8 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
43:9 Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of
Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
43:10 And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have
hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
43:11 And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death;
and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.
43:12 And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them
away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment;
and he shall go forth from thence in peace.
43:13 He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the
gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire.
Chapter 44 – Judgment for Idoltary
44:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which
dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
44:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon
Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man
dwelleth therein,
44:3 Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went
to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.
44:4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do
not this abominable thing that I hate.
44:5 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense
unto other gods.
44:6 Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in
the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.
44:7 Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this
great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to
leave you none to remain;
44:8 In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in
the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a
curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
44:9 Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the
wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have
committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
44:10 They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in
my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
44:11 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for
evil, and to cut off all Judah.
44:12 And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to
sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed
by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by
the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
44:13 For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword,
by the famine, and by the pestilence:
44:14 So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall
escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to
return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
44:15 Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the
women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros,
answered Jeremiah, saying,
44:16 As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto
thee.
44:17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto
the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our
kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of
victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto
her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did
we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
44:20 Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which
had given him that answer, saying,
44:21 The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your
fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and
came it not into his mind?
44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the
abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a
curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
44:23 Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not
obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore
this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.
44:24 Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all
Judah that are in the land of Egypt:
44:25 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with
your mouths,
and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn
incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your
vows, and surely perform your vows.
44:26 Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have
sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any
man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
44:27 Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the
land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
44:28 Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of
Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know
whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
44:29 And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may
know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:
44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies,
and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
Chapter 45 – Message to Baruch
45:1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written
these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of
Judah, saying,
45:2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;
45:3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing,
and I find no rest.
45:4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break
down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
45:5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh,
saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
Chapter 46 – Judgment on Egypt
46:1 The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;
46:2 Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates
in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of
Josiah king of Judah.
46:3 Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle.
46:4 Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears,
and put on the brigandines.
46:5 Wherefore have I seen them dismayed and turned away back? and their mighty ones are beaten
down, and are fled apace, and look not back: for fear was round about, saith the LORD.
46:6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the
north by the river Euphrates.
46:7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers?
46:8 Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and
will cover
the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.
46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and
the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his
adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the
Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
46:11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many
medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.
46:12 The nations have heard of thy shame, and thy cry hath filled the land: for the mighty man hath
stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.
46:13 The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon
should come and smite the land of Egypt.
46:14 Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand
fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.
46:15 Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them.
46:16 He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our
own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.
46:17 They did cry there, Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed.
46:18 As I live, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts, Surely as Tabor is among the mountains,
and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come.
46:19 O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and
desolate without an inhabitant.
46:20 Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.
46:21 Also her hired men are in the midst of her like fatted bullocks; for they also are turned back, and
are fled away together: they did not stand, because the day of their calamity was come upon them, and
the time of their visitation.
46:22 The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her
with axes, as hewers of wood.
46:23 They shall cut down her forest, saith the LORD, though it cannot be searched; because they are
more than the grasshoppers, and are innumerable.
46:24 The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of
the north.
46:25 The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh,
and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:
46:26 And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited,
as in the days of old, saith the LORD.
46:27 But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee
from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at
ease, and none shall make him afraid.
46:28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of
all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in
measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.
Chapter 47 – Judgment on the Philistines
47:1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that
Pharaoh smote Gaza.
47:2 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and
shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall
cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.
47:3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his strong horses, at the rushing of his chariots, and at
the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands;
47:4 Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every
helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
47:5 Baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou
cut thyself?
47:6 O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard,
rest, and be still.
47:7 How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea
shore? there hath he appointed it.
Chapter 48 – Judgment on Moab
Moab represents churches – 4BC 1159 ‘this description of Moab represents the churches that have
become like Moab. They have not stood at their post of duty as faithful sentinels. They have not
cooperated with the heavenly intelligences by exercising their God-given ability to do the will of God,
pressing back the powers of darkness, and using every power God has given them to advance truth
and righteousness in our world. They have a knowledge of the truth, but they have not practiced
what they know (MS 7, 1891)"
All books meet and end --AA 585 "In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is
the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation."
Study Daniel w/o smaller prophets – RH Nov.10,1896 "As a people and as individuals we need to
have a deeper sense of our duty to God and our responsibility to the world. There should be more
earnest study of the Scriptures. I have been deeply impressed with the importance of studying the
book of Daniel in connection with the smaller prophets, especially Malachi."
Study Daniel with these smaller prophets – RH Feb 4, 1902 "In the night season I was in my dreams
in a large meeting, with ministers, their wives, and their children. I wondered that the company
present was mostly made up of ministers and their families. The prophecy of Malachi was brought
before them in connection with Daniel, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah. "
48:1 Against Moab thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Woe unto Nebo! for it is spoiled:
Kiriathaim is confounded and taken: Misgab is confounded and dismayed.
48:2 There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let
us cut it off from being a nation. Also thou shalt be cut down, O Madmen; the sword shall pursue thee.
48:3 A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
48:4 Moab is destroyed; her little ones have caused a cry to be heard.
48:5 For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the
enemies have heard a cry of destruction.
48:6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.
48:7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and
Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
48:8 And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and
the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken.
48:9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without
any to dwell therein.
48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his
sword from blood.
48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied
from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his
scent is not changed.
48:12 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will send unto him wanderers, that shall
cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles.
48:13 And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their
confidence.
48:14 How say ye, We are mighty and strong men for the war?
48:15 Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the
slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
48:16 The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteth fast.
48:17 All ye that are about him, bemoan him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff
broken, and the beautiful rod!
48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler
of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.
48:19 O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way, and espy; ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth, and
say, What is done?
48:20 Moab is confounded; for it is broken down: howl and cry; tell ye it in Arnon, that Moab is spoiled,
48:21 And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon
Mephaath,
48:22 And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,
48:23 And upon Kiriathaim, and upon Bethgamul, and upon Bethmeon,
48:24 And upon Kerioth, and upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near.
48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.
48:26 Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his
vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
48:27 For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of
him, thou skippedst for joy.
48:28 O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh
her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.
48:29 We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his
pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
48:30 I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it.
48:31 Therefore will I howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab; mine heart shall mourn for the men
of Kirheres.
48:32 O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee with the weeping of Jazer: thy plants are gone over the sea,
they reach even to the sea of Jazer: the spoiler is fallen upon thy summer fruits and upon thy vintage.
48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have
caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no
shouting.
48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh, and even unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice,
from Zoar even unto Horonaim, as an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be
desolate.
48:35 Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and
him that burneth incense to his gods.
48:36 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the
men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished.
48:37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and
upon the loins sackcloth.
48:38 There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof:
for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
48:39 They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so
shall Moab be a derision and a dismaying to all them about him.
48:40 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab.
48:41 Kerioth is taken, and the strong holds are surprised, and the mighty men's hearts in Moab at that
day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
48:42 And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against the
LORD.
48:43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, shall be upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith the LORD.
48:44 He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be
taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
48:45 They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth
out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown
of the head of the tumultuous ones.
48:46 Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and
thy daughters captives.
48:47 Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith the LORD. Thus far is the
judgment of Moab.
Shows very clearly that the scope of this prophecy takes us to the last days. And the Bible is making
it clear that in the last days God is going to bring again or turn the captivity of Moab. Well who were
they captive to? Babylon How is God going to turn their captivity?
Zeph 2:9 Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as
Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a
perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall
possess them.
Says about "Moab" that "my people shall spoil [962 to seize, gather, and take away] them and the remnant
of my people shall possess them.
Isa 11:14 …they shall spoil…lay their hand…Moab..shall obey them.
This shows that spoil means to seize, the Bible says lay their hand. Isaiah 11:11-16 is a parallel
prophecy with Daniel 11:40-45. But Zephaniah is reiterating what Isaiah has already said. EGW
Quote. When studying Daniel study book of Zephaniah.
Chapter 49 – Judgment on Ammon
49:1 Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then
doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
49:2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in
Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire:
then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.
49:3 Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and
run to and fro by the hedges; for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes
together.
49:4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in
her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?
49:5 Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about thee;
and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth.
49:6 And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD.
49:7 ¶ Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished
from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?
49:8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon
him, the time that I will visit him.
49:9 If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they
will destroy till they have enough.
49:10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide
himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.
49:11 Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
49:12 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly
drunken; and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou
shalt surely drink of it.
49:13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a
waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
49:14 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying,
Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.
49:15 For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men.
49:16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts
of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I
will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.
49:17 Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all
the plagues thereof.
49:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD, no
man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.
49:19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the
strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint
over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand
before me?
49:20 Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that
he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out:
surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.
49:21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea.
49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day
shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.
49:23 ¶ Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they
are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
49:24 Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her: anguish and
sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.
49:25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy!
49:26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that
day, saith the
LORD of hosts.
49:27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben–hadad.
49:28 ¶ Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of
Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
49:29 Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and
all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear is on every side.
49:30 ¶ Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar
king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.
49:31 Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have
neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.
49:32 And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into
all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith
the LORD.
49:33 And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide
there, nor any son of man dwell in it.
49:34 ¶ The word of the LORD that came to the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of
Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,
49:35 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
49:36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them
toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
49:37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and
I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them,
till I have consumed them:
49:38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the
LORD.
49:39 ¶ But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the
LORD.
Chapter 50 – Judgment on Babylon
50:1 The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah
the prophet.
50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and conceal not: say,
Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images
are broken in pieces.
50:3 For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and
none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.
50:4 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the
children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
50:5 They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves
to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned
them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their
restingplace.
50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they
have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
50:8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he
goats before the flocks.
1st Call to come out of Babylon
50:9 For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the
north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their
arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.
50:10 And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD.
50:11 Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown
fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;
50:12 Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the
hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert.
50:13 Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every
one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.
50:14 Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare
no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.
50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are
thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto
her.
50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of
the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own
land.
50:17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured
him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
50:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon
and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
50:19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his
soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.
50:20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there
shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is referring to the time period after the close of
probation, and after the work of the investigative judgment has been complete.
Jer 33:6-11 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the
abundance of peace and truth. [7] And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to
return, and will build them, as at the first. [8] And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby
they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and
whereby they have transgressed against me. [9] And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an
honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they
shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. [10] Thus
saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man
and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate,
without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast, [11] The voice of joy, and the voice of
gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say,
Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall
bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the
land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
These verses show the promise to cleanse them from iniquity.
Jer 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I
will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed
against me.
This verse shows the fulfillment of this promise. It is also the COMPLETE fulfillment of the new-
covenant promise.
Fulfillment of New Covenant - GC 485 " Thus will be realized the complete fulfillment of the new-
covenant promise: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." "In those
days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be
none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found. Jeremiah 31:34; 50:20 The work of the
investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second
advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is
impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are
to be investigated."
Note: She takes Jer 31:34, which is where the promise was originally given, and then combines it
with Jer 50:20, which is the fulfillment of the promise.
Note: We know historically that when God punished Babylon with Medo-Persia that many Jews
were still in Babylon, and they were living in sin, so this cannot apply specifically to the Jews in
Babylon. The complete fulfillment of the promise will not be seen until the last days at the
completion of the investigative judgment. This text is still future!!
Review: So again we see this as the fulfillment to the new covenant given in Jeremiah 31:31-34. But
the covenant is not limited to the promise given between God and His people. It includes the
sanctuary. See note on Pauline Epistles in Hebrews 8. That is why Paul quotes this in relationship to
the reformation or time of change from the old covenant to the new covenant.
Heb 8:8-12 [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I
will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to
the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out
of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the
Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the
Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God,
and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every
man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. [12] For
I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no
more.
This is a direct quote from Jer 31:31-34
Jer 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their
fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the
LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
The first covenant which included the daily and yearly services, ceremonial laws, earthly high priest
etc, could not bring perfection.
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and
waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Paul now explains that the old covenant was ready to vanish away. Showing that these promises
that were given in Jeremiah etc could not be fulfilled until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Since then Christ has been ministering the new covenant in the heavenly sanctuary. Side note: That
is why in the book of Ezekiel the new covenant promise, which is also an everlasting covenant is
mentioned in connection with the sanctuary.
Heb 9:1-10 [1] Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly
sanctuary. [2] For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table,
and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. [3] And after the second veil, the tabernacle which
is called the Holiest of all; [4] Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid
round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded,
and the tables of the covenant; [5] And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of
which we cannot now speak particularly. [6] Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests
went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. [7] But into the second went
the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the
errors of the people: [8] The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet
made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: [9] Which was a figure for the time
then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the
service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; [10] Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Notice in verse 10 he says the time of reformation or change from the old covenant to the new.
Everything from verses 1-10 describe the old covenant. For it "could not make
him…perfect."Notice that Paul mentions that the first or old covenant (which existed during the
time of Jeremiah, etc.) had ceremonies or ceremonial services and a worldly sanctuary. This term
“worldly” means earth. This was all included in the old covenant During Jeremiah’s time they could
experience this by faith, but that is why Paul says in Heb 11 they all died not receiving the promise
of being made perfect.
Now we understand why the saints were agonizing during the close of probation. They were
searching their hearts to see if any sin was there, and they found none because the work of the
investigative judgment was complete.
50:21 Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste
and utterly destroy after them, saith the LORD, and do according to all that I have commanded thee.
50:22 A sound of battle is in the land, and of great destruction.
50:23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a
desolation among the nations!
50:24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art
found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
50:25 The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for
this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
50:26 Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy
her utterly: let nothing of her be left.
50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the
time of their visitation.
50:28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance
of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.
50:29 Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about;
let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do
unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
50:30 Therefore shall her young men fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be cut off in that
day, saith the LORD.
50:31 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the
time that I will visit thee.
50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in
his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.
50:33 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed
together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.
50:34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that
he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
50:35 A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her
princes, and upon her wise men.
50:36 A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be
dismayed.
50:37 A sword is upon their horses, and upon their chariots, and upon all the mingled people that are in
the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be
robbed.
50:38 A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and
they are mad upon their idols.
50:39 Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and
the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from
generation to generation.
50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall
no man
abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.
50:41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up
from the coasts of the earth.
50:42 They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall
roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against
thee, O daughter of Babylon.
50:43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold
of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
50:44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong:
but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over
her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand
before me?
50:45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes,
that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them
out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.
50:46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.
Chapter 51 – Destruction of Babylon
51:1 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the
midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
51:2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of
trouble they shall be against her round about.
51:3 Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his
brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
51:4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.
51:5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was
filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for
this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
2nd Call to come out of Babylon
51:7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations
have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be
healed.
51:9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his
own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
51:10 The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the
LORD our God.
51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the
Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the
vengeance of his temple.
51:12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen,
prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the
inhabitants of Babylon.
51:13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the
measure of thy covetousness.
51:14 The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with
caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.
51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath
stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
51:16 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the
vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the
wind out of his treasures.
51:17 Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his
molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
51:18 They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
51:19 The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his
inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
51:20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and
with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
51:21 And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the
chariot and his rider;
51:22 With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and
young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;
51:23 I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces
the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
51:24 And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have
done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD.
51:25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth:
and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a
burnt mountain.
51:26 And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be
desolate for ever, saith the LORD.
51:27 Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against
her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against
her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers.
51:28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the
rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion.
51:29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against
Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
51:30 The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might
hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.
51:31 One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of
Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
51:32 And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war
are affrighted.
51:33 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a
threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
51:34 Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an
empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath
cast me out.
51:35 The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my
blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
51:36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I
will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.
51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing,
without an inhabitant.
51:38 They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps.
51:39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and
sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
51:40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.
51:41 How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon
become an astonishment among the nations!
51:42 The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.
51:43 Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither
doth any son of man pass thereby.
51:44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath
swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall
fall.
51:45 My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of
the LORD.
3rd Call to come out of Babylon.
51:46 And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land; a rumour
shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land,
ruler against ruler.
51:47 Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and
her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her.
51:48 Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall
come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.
51:49 As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.
51:50 Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let
Jerusalem come into your mind.
51:51 We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers
are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD'S house.
51:52 Wherefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will do judgment upon her graven
images: and through all her land the wounded shall groan.
51:53 Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her
strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
51:54 A sound of a cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans:
51:55 Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves
do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:
51:56 Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every
one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
51:57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty
men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of
hosts.
51:58 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high
gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall
be weary.
51:59 The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah,
when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah into Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. And this
Seraiah was a quiet prince.
51:60 So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that
are written against Babylon.
51:61 And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these
words;
51:62 Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall
remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
51:63 And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it,
and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:
51:64 And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon
her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
Chapter 52 – Fall of Jerusalem Recounted
52:1 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in
Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
52:2 And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
52:3 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out
from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
52:4 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month,
that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against
it, and built forts against it round about.
52:5 So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
52:6 And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there
was no bread for the people of the land.
52:7 Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by
the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were by
the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.
52:8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of
Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
52:9 Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of
Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.
52:10 And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of
Judah in Riblah.
52:11 Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried
him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
52:12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of
Nebuchadrezzar king
of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,
52:13 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all
the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:
52:14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the
walls of Jerusalem round about.
52:15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people,
and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of
Babylon, and the rest
of the multitude.
52:16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and
for husbandmen.
52:17 Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that
was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.
52:18 The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the
vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
52:19 And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the
spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the
captain of the guard away.
52:20 The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon
had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
52:21 And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits
did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.
52:22 And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network
and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the
pomegranates were like unto these.
52:23 And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the
network were an hundred round about.
52:24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and
the three keepers of the door:
52:25 He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of
them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host,
who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in
the midst of the city.
52:26 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to
Riblah.
52:27 And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus
Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.
52:28 This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three
thousand Jews and
three and twenty:
52:29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred
thirty and two persons:
52:30 In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried
away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and
six hundred.
52:31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in
the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the
first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,
52:32 And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in
Babylon,
52:33 And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his
life.
52:34 And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion
until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
Lamentations
Introduction
Author and Title

In the Hebrew Bible, Lamentations is called Ekah (“How”), after the first word in the book. This
word occurs in 1:1, 2:1, and 4:1 to emphasize how much Jerusalem has suffered.
The book does not identify its author, which should keep interpreters from unnecessarily
contentious debates. Many scholars consider Jeremiah the author. They base this decision on (1)
the statement in 2 Chronicles 35:25 that Jeremiah “lamented for Josiah”; (2) the fact that Jeremiah
was an eyewitness of Jerusalem’s destruction; and (3) the similarities in theological emphasis and
vocabulary between the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.
PK 461 The sorrow of the prophet over the utter perversity of those who would have been the
spiritual light of the world, his sorrow over the fate of Zion and of the people carried captive to
Babylon, is revealed in the lamentations he has left on record as a memorial of the folly of turning
from the counsels of Jehovah to human wisdom. Amid the ruin wrought, Jeremiah could still declare,
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed;" and his constant prayer was, "Let us search
and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." Lamentations 3:22, 40. While Judah was still a kingdom
among the nations, he had inquired of his God, "Hast Thou utterly rejected Judah? hath Thy soul
loathed Zion?" and he had made bold to plead, "Do not abhor us, for Thy name's sake." Jeremiah
14:19, 21. The prophet's absolute faith in God's eternal purpose to bring order out of confusion, and
to demonstrate to the nations of earth and to the entire universe His attributes of justice and love,
now led him to plead confidently in behalf of those who might turn from evil to righteousness.
Date
Lamentations describes the results of Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem in 587 b.c. in vivid
(though stylized) detail. The book has the flavor of personal experience and eyewitness testimony,
particularly in the descriptions of death and starvation in 4:1–22. Though it is possible that a long
time passed between the destruction and the book’s composition, there is no compelling reason to
accept this conclusion. Since temple worship had begun again by 520–516 b.c. (during the time of
Haggai and Zechariah), it is likely that the mourning for the city and temple had reached its height
before then. The date of the writing of Lamentations probably falls between 587 and 516 b.c., with a
time earlier in the era being more likely.
Theme
The key passage in Lamentations is 3:19–24, where Jeremiah affirms that belief in God’s mercy and
faithfulness is the key to a restored relationship with God. This fact is true even for people who
have merited and received God’s judgment (1:18). Hope, not despair, is the final word in
Lamentations.
This theme becomes clear as the book unfolds. Lamentations presents five intricately
interconnected poems. Together they describe a movement from horrible loss and personal shame,
to restored hope and prayer for renewal. This movement has both individual and community
components, and is conveyed by the literary type, acrostic forms, meter, and basic movement of
Lamentations. (See Literary Features.)
Key Themes
Lamentations is a neglected book. This is unfortunate because it presents key theological concepts
composed creatively during an important era in Israel’s history.
 It offers compelling prayers that confess sin, express renewed hope, and declare total
dependence on God’s grace.
 It is the only book in the Bible written by a person who endured one manifestation of the
divine judgment the Bible consistently calls ‘the day of the Lord” (cf. Joel 2:1–2; Amos 5:18;
Zeph. 1:14–16).
 The book’s authorship, setting, contents, and theology underline its value for understanding
the nature of pain, sin, and redemption.
 Lamentations agrees with the theology of Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 27–30, Joshua–Kings,
and Jeremiah in that it affirms that Jerusalem fell:
o because of the people’s sins (Lam. 1:18);
o because they rejected God’s word sent through the prophets (2:8, 14, 17);
o because their leaders led them astray (4:13). God warned (2:17), but the people did
not heed the warning.
 It affirms God’s faithful, never-ceasing mercy (3:19–24; cf. Deut. 30:1–10). Therefore,
readers can know that God is not finished with his people even when they sin greatly.
 The book agrees with Psalms in that it affirms that prayers of confession and petition are
the means for restoring a broken relationship with God. These poems also coincide with the
Psalms in their honest expressions of pain and their dismay at what God has allowed to
happen. By attributing what has occurred to God’s will, the poems also share the Psalms”
emphasis on God’s sovereignty as King of creation (Ps. 103:19).
 Lamentations agrees with the emphasis on ‘the day of the Lord” found in the prophetic
books. This “day” is the day God comes to judge sin. It can occur in historical contexts like
586 b.c., or it can occur at the end of time and be the final “day of the Lord.” Regardless, such
“days” do occur, and people need to take seriously the warnings about such days in
Lamentations and the rest of the Bible.

PK 461 The sorrow of the prophet over the utter perversity of those who would have been the
spiritual light of the world, his sorrow over the fate of Zion and of the people carried captive to
Babylon, is revealed in the lamentations he has left on record as a memorial of the folly of turning
from the counsels of Jehovah to human wisdom.
The book of Lamentations was written as a memorial of result of turning from the counsels of God
to human wisdom. Such observances began as early as the months after the temple’s destruction in
587 b.c. (Jer. 41:4–5). They continued when the temple was rebuilt during Zechariah’s time (c. 520
b.c.; see Zech. 7:3–5; 8:19). As time passed, Lamentations was read and sung as part of annual
observances related to remembering the temple’s destruction..

Isaiah had foretold God’s future for Jerusalem: she would be the vehicle for bringing light to all the
Gentiles (Isa. 2:1–5) in the Messianic era; but the unfaithful in her midst, who dominated her life
and testimony, must be purged from her by disaster, while the faithful remain to build her up (Isa.
1:24–28). Lamentations is a book for the faithful, enabling them to mourn for Zion’s disaster and to
pray in hope for her renewal, and thus for the completion of God’s saving purpose for the world.
Outline
1. How Lonely Sits the City (1:1–22)
a. Jerusalem’s devastation (1:1–11)
b. Jerusalem’s call for help (1:12–22)
2. God Has Set Zion under a Cloud (2:1–22)
a. The effects of God’s punishment (2:1–10)
b. The need to cry out to God (2:11–19)
c. Jerusalem asks God to see and act (2:20–22)
3. I Am the Man Who Has Seen Affliction (3:1–66)
a. Enduring suffering, experiencing faithfulness (3:1–24)
b. Responding to God’s goodness and sovereignty (3:25–39)
c. Praying for renewal (3:40–47)
d. Maintaining confidence in God (3:48–66)
4. How the Gold Has Grown Dim (4:1–22)
a. The suffering of Jerusalem’s children (4:1–10)
b. God’s punishing of Jerusalem’s religious leaders (4:11–16)
c. The power of Jerusalem’s enemies (4:17–20)
d. The end of Jerusalem’s suffering (4:21–22)
5. Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord (5:1–22)
a. Opening petition (5:1)
b. The woes Jerusalem has faced (5:2–18)
c. A concluding prayer for restoration (5:19–22)
Chapter 1 – Jerusalem sits solitary
1:1 How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was
great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
1:2 She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to
comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
1:3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among
the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
1:4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her
priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
1:5 Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude
of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
1:6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find
no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
1:7 Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that
she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the
adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.
1:8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her,
because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
1:9 Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down
wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.
1:10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the
heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy
congregation.
1:11 All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the
soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
1:12 ¶ Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my
sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
1:13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for
my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.
1:14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck:
he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able
to rise up.
1:15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly
against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a
winepress.
1:16 For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that
should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
1:17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded
concerning
Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among
them.
1:18 ¶ The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people,
and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
1:19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the
city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
1:20 Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I
have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
1:21 They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my
trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall
be like unto me.
1:22 Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my
transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.
Chapter 2 – Destroyed Without Pity
2:1 How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from
heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!
2:2 The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in
his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath
polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.
2:3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from
before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.
2:4 He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that
were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.
2:5 The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he
hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and
lamentation.
2:6 And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his
places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion,
and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
2:7 The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of
the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a
solemn feast.
2:8 The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he
hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament;
they languished together.
2:9 Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes
are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
2:10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust
upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their
heads to the ground.
2:11 Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the
destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of
the city.
2:12 They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the
streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom.
2:13 What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of
Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach
is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
2:14 Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine
iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
2:15 All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem,
saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
2:16 All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We
have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.
2:17 The LORD hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded
in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice
over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.
2:18 Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day
and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.
2:19 Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the
face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in
the top of every street.
2:20 ¶ Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and
children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?
2:21 The young and the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are fallen by
the sword; thou hast slain them in the day of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.
2:22 Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger
none escaped nor remained: those that I have swaddled and brought up hath mine enemy consumed.
Chapter 3 – God’s Faithfulness
3:1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
3:2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
3:3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
3:4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
3:5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
3:6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
3:7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
3:8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
3:9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
3:10 He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
3:11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
3:12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
3:13 He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
3:14 I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.
3:15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.
3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
3:17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.
3:18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
3:19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
3:20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
3:22 ¶ It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
3:23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
3:27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
3:28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
3:29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
3:30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
3:32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
3:34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth,
3:35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
3:36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
3:37 ¶ Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
3:38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
3:39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
3:42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.
3:43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.
3:44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.
3:45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.
3:46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.
3:47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.
3:48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.
3:49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
3:50 Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.
3:51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
3:52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.
3:53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.
3:54 Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off.
3:55 ¶ I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.
3:56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.
3:57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
3:58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.
3:59 O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.
3:60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.
3:61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me;
3:62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day.
3:63 Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their musick.
3:64 ¶ Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
3:65 Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them.
3:66 Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Chapter 4 – Holy Stones laid Desolate
4:1 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are
poured out in the top of every street.
4:2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the
work of the hands of the potter!
4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my
people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask
bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.
4:5 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet
embrace dunghills.
4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of
the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.
4:7 Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than
rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their
bones; it is
withered, it is become like a stick.
4:9 They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away,
stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.
4:10 The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the
destruction of the daughter of my people.
4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire
in Zion, and
it hath devoured the foundations thereof.
4:12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the
adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.
4:13 ¶ For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just
in the midst of her,
4:14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that
men could not touch their garments.
4:15 They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and
wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.
4:16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the
persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.
4:17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that
could not save us.
4:18 They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our
end is come.
4:19 Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains,
they laid wait for us in the wilderness.
4:20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said,
Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
4:21 ¶ Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass
through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.
4:22 ¶ The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee
away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.
Chapter 5 – Plea for Restoration
5:1 Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.
5:2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
5:3 We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.
5:4 We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.
5:5 Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.
5:6 We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
5:7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
5:8 Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
5:9 We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.
5:10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
5:11 They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.
5:12 Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
5:13 They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
5:14 The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.
5:15 The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
5:16 The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
5:17 For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.
5:18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
5:19 Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
5:20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?
5:21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
5:22 But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.
Ezekiel
Introduction
Father Commissioned Christ to fight –SR 16 " The loyal angels hastened speedily to the Son of God and
acquainted Him with what was taking place among the angels. They found the Father in conference
with His beloved Son, to determine the means by which, for the best good of the loyal angels, the
assumed authority of Satan could be forever put down. The great God could at once have hurled this
archdeceiver from heaven; but this was not His purpose. He would give the rebellious an equal
chance to measure strength and might with His own Son and His loyal angels. In this battle
every angel would choose his own side and be manifested to all.
Why was Ezekiel called to the prophetic ministry?
PK 447 While Jeremiah continued to bear his testimony in the land of Judah, the prophet Ezekiel was
raised up from among the captives in Babylon, to warn and to comfort the exiles, and also to
confirm the word of the Lord that was being spoken through Jeremiah…He was also instructed
to foretell, by means of a variety of symbols and solemn messages, the siege and utter destruction
of Jerusalem
Ezekiel = God strengthens (Ezek 34:16 the sick; 30:25 Babylon)
So in this book you will see examples of God strengthening. He will strengthen the sick that were
brought back from captivity, and He strengthened the king of Babylon, and He also strengthens
Ezekiel.When you study the book of Ezekiel you will see that this is one of the best books that
outlines the nature of the Godhead. You can see the harmonious work of the Godhead in this book.
This is also one of the best books that identifies, highlights, and emphasizes the work and nature
of the Holy Spirit. If you want to prove that the Holy Spirit is a person as well as Divine, come to
Ezekiel. The book of Acts outlines His work in the New Testament among God’s people as a church,
but the book of Ezekiel outlines His work in the Old Testament among God’s people as a nation.
There is also something very interesting about this book. What office did Ezekiel hold? What was
he? According to 1:3 ‘the priest" he was a priest. But at the same time he was a prophet. Why is this
important? Next to the books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, you will find no other Old
Testament book that deals with the sanctuary in such detail. Why? Because of the fact that Ezekiel
was a faithful priest, God could show him things in relation to the sanctuary that others couldn’t
fully understand. Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah they got glimpses of the sanctuary, but Ezekiel got the full
picture. The other prophets could understand to a certain extent, but a priest would understand
more fully. For example, if a house was just built and the inspector came and saw mistakes, he could
tell me to come in and look at the mistakes, I’ll be able to understand to a limited degree, but if the
inspector brings in a professional carpenter he could understand fully the nature of the mistakes.
He could see the mistake and understand why it was made, what should have been done and how.
But not me. For God to show Ezekiel the sins of the sanctuary would leave a deeper impression as to
the magnitude of the sin that were committed. So this is what we have. God gives him a clear view
of the abominations of the sanctuary.
Sermon: “the Calling of an SDA"
We know that Ezekial’s fathers must have been a priest. We don’t know when he was called. But in
Chap 1:1-2 we get an idea. We assume that he was talking about his own age. He started when he
was 30 years old, not sure though.
2 Kings 24:11-14 [11] And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants
did besiege it. [12] And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his
mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the
eighth year of his reign. [13] And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and
the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel
had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. [14] And he carried away all Jerusalem,
and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the
craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
We find a list of the captivity under Johiachin. 2 Kings 24: 12-13 happened in 593 B.C. At this time
Nebuchadnezzar took these people captive. And he took all the treasures of the house of the Lord.
All the money that was preserved, the tithes. This will be repeated again. All the money that has
been invested in the stock market, bonds, real estate. It will all be blown away at the NSL. This
captivity will be repeated spiritually.
2 Kings 24:14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of
valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the
poorest sort of the people of the land.
Ezekiel was one of the poor men that were carried away. He was a mighty man of valour too, even
though his name is not mentioned. So on the fifth year of Jehoichin’s captivity he began to prophesy.
This happened five years after their captivity. 598 B.C. is when Jehoichin was in captivity. So in 593
B.C. Ezekiel began to prophesy. Based off Ezek 1:1.
God’s original purpose for their captivity was if the leadership would obey Jeremiah’s words then
God could spare them, and only the leadership would have to be carried to Babylon and they would
learn their lesson and come back. That would mean that the temple would not have to be destroyed.
And the rest didn’t have to go, but because they didn’t hearken the whole nation was carried away,
not the treasury or anything like that. How do we know?
Dan 1:3-4 [3] ¶ And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring
certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; [4] Children in whom was
no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they
might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Nebuchadnezzar’s first intention was to carry away certain of the children of Israel. This is referring
to the leadership. He was just going to carry away the princes, and the wisest ones, but the leaders
were rebellious and they would not listen to the prophets, they tried to kill the prophets. This
kindled the wrath of God and all the people were captive. After they learn the lesson they would
come back and teach the nation. Temple would have been spared, common people would not suffer
the captivity. God had to make their yoke harder. Jer 28:13,14. But by their rebellious life, God
allowed whole nation to be carried away.
Jer 28:13-14 [13] Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of
wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. [14] For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the
field also.
You have rebelled against me, so I have turned the yoke of wood into a yoke of iron. The leadership
made things worse. But this was not God’s original intention. Was Jeremiah married?
Jer 16:2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
He was not married. He lived a single life. The reason is because you will face great opposition and
she cannot take it. So you cannot enjoy the luxury of marriage. You will be shut up and have no
bread. But God is asking the same consecration of us. Paul says that those who have family. You will
have to leave like you don’t have a family. There will be a time when you have to totally consecrate
yourself to God. What about Ezekiel? He was married, but by the providence of God, she was killed.
It was not easy to be a prophet.
“Simply because you will get so much oppositions and persecutions and crisis and problems in you
life and your wife will not handle it. Most of your life, you will spend in prison, in dark dungeon.
That is your life. So I called thee. You don’t enjoy the luxury of marriage.” That was the life calling
for Jeremiah. What about you, young people? God is asking the same consecration. Are you ready
for that calling? If the leadership of the Israel obeyed God’s word through prophet, God could have
spared them that only leadership would be carried away as captives.
Ezek 24:16-18 [16] Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke:
yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. [17] Forbear to cry, make
no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet,
and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. [18] So I spake unto the people in the morning:
and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
He had a wife, but by the providence of God, she was killed. Desire of thine eyes means his wife.
Verse 16 tells us that he could not weep over the death of his own wife. If you were in Ezekiel’s
situation, would you still serve God with all your heart? This is the life of a prophet! Who told you
that your life will be different than this? Even though we don’t have direct vision from God, as far as
the light is concerned we are called just as Ezekiel was called to serve God completely and preach
the gospel truth! We are talking about the consecration here! We are talking about complete
surrender here! Without the sacrifice of your life, giving up your happiness, giving up your
pleasures, giving up your easy life styles, giving up your good reputations, you are not to be called
as prophet young people! And God needs that kind of young people for His church in this last day.
Ezek 24:18 …so I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the
morning as I was commanded.
He had total consecration and commitment to God. Without the sacrifice of your life, giving up your
pleasure and easy lifestyle. God uses these to fulfill His purpose in His church. When God asks you
pray about it. If you were in his position would you still serve God with all of your heart? Who can
say that our life will be different from this? Hosea was asked to go marry a harlot. When Paul was
met by Christ on the road to Damascus he lost his wife and son. He lost his money, and family. He
lived a consecrated life to the service of God. There were 3 great prophets during the time of
Ezekiel. Jeremiah was called for the remnant in Judea. Ezekiel was called for the people for the
captivity of Babylon. Daniel was called for the courts of Babylon to show and tell them the purpose
of God for the whole nation.
Ezekiel has two sections: Chapter 1:1-33:20 – These prophecies are prior to the fall of Jerusalem in
586B.C. Note: This section emphasizes genuine repentance. Chapter 33:21 – 48:35 – This is after
the fall of Jerusalem to inspire hope for the restoration of the temple of God.
Note: The emphasis is that the divine purpose is revealed.
The Sanctuary is connected with the affairs of the earth in Habakkuk 2:20. You also see this in
Revelation as well as this book. The burden of chapter one is the throne of God. He spends 25 verses
describing God’s throne in detail from the movements of the angels, the work of the Spirit, and the
appearance of the throne along with the appearance of the One who sat on the throne. And this
depiction is given for two reasons. One: to show God’s dealings with the affairs that transpires on
earth. In other words, God is in control of everything that happens with His people and with the
nations of the earth. Chapters 25-32 show how He controls the nations of the earth. It shows how
He controls the political affairs. But the political affairs of the earth are controlled in a way to allow
God’s will to be done through His people. God is overruling in the affairs of the earth. Two: This
view of the throne of the God is connected with His sanctuary. It is especially in here to show the
movements of God’s throne in connection with His sanctuary. You will especially see this in
chapters 8-11 and again in 40-48. Explain the word ‘spirit” must be understood in context.
Ezekiel 1 to 7 lays the foundation for the whole book of Ezekiel. Chapter 1 gives a picture of the
throne of God. This is given because of chapters 8-11. This picture is connected with the sanctuary
and is similar to Rev 4, but this picture is given to show what would cause His presence to be
withdrawn from His people.
Ezek 5:11 …defiled my sanctuary…
First mention of the word sanctuary. Destruction of Jerusalem came because they defiled the
sanctuary.
Ezek 3:27 …He that heareth, let him hear…
Similar to the language in Rev 2 & 3. That represents the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the
history of the church in 7 different time periods. So here we see the work of the Holy Spirit during
the history of God’s people when they were a nation. From the time they were set up as a kingdom
to the time they were rejected as a kingdom the Holy Spirit was working among them.
Ezek 1:28 …bow in the cloud…
The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant made between man and God. (Rev 4:3 rainbow). Ezekial
16, 20, and 37 cover the covenant in detail.
Ezek 16:8, 60, 62 [8] I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee…[60]…I will
remember my covenant…everlasting covenant...[62]…And I will establish my covenant with thee…
Ezek 20:37 I will bring you into the bond of the covenant…
And all through this book you see covenant language, and this covenant is connected to the Sabbath
and the Sanctuary.
Gen 17:2, 7 [2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee
exceedingly…[7]…everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…
Ezek 11:20 …they shall be my people, and I will be their God…
Ezek 37:23, 27 [23] be my people, and I will be their God…[27] I will be their God, and they shall be
my people.
Ezek 34:25 I will make with them a covenant of peace…
Ezek 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting
covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the
midst of them for evermore.
The fulfillment of this is seen in Rev 21:2, 3.
Author and Title

Ezekiel is both the name of the sixth-century b.c. prophet and the title of the book that records his
preaching. Ezekiel’s name (Hb. Yekhezqe’l) means “God strengthens” or “May God strengthen,”
appropriate for a prophet called to proclaim a message of uncompromising judgment and later a
message of a restoration for God’s sake, not Israel’s. Ezekiel lived out his prophetic career among
the community of exiled Judeans in Babylon. He belonged to the priestly class and was married (see
24:15–24), but it is doubtful that he had any children.
If Ezekiel was thirty years old at the time of the inaugural vision (see note at 1:1), an intriguing
connection can be made with the final vision of the book, which is dated to the twenty-fifth year of
the exile (40:1), when Ezekiel would have been fifty. As Numbers 4 makes clear, the ages of thirty
and fifty mark the span of the active service of the priests. As a member of the exilic community,
Ezekiel would not have been able to participate in the ritual life of the Jerusalem temple, nor would
he have undergone initiation into priestly service while living outside the land. But perhaps the
timing of these visions coincided with what would have been Ezekiel’s “working life” as a priest had
he lived in Jerusalem prior to the exile.
The relationship between the Hebrew prophets and the books that bear their names is complex. For
both Isaiah (see Isa. 8:16) and Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 36) there is evidence of individuals or
groups who preserved the prophet’s words. Such is not the case with Ezekiel. No such disciples are
named, and Ezekiel’s autobiographical style suggests his close involvement with recording the
written traditions that bear his name. At the same time, the very preservation of his scroll implies
the existence of a support group, which may also have provided some editorial input.
Ezekiel means “Whom God will strengthen.” He was the son of Buzi, a priest. “In the thirtieth year…”
We do not know exactly of what year he was called. But It’s possible that he was talking about his
own age. He was called in the 5th year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity BC 593.He was one of ‘the
mighty men of valour” that were carried away by the king Nebuchadnezzar in the first captivity in
BC 598.
Date
Ezekiel’s oracles are more frequently dated than those of other OT prophets. The first date of the
book takes the reader to the summer of 593 b.c., five years after the first group of exiles was
deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The latest-dated oracle comes 22 years after that
summer, in April of 571 b.c. The book is arranged chronologically in three parts: chapters 1–24 and
33–48 form one sequence, while the foreign-nation oracles of chapters 25–32 have their own order
(see Outline). Caution must be exercised in attempting to align Ezekiel’s dates with those of the
modern calendar, but the rough equivalents are as shown in the chart, Dates in Ezekiel.
Theme and Purpose
Ezekiel spoke to a community forced from its home, a people who had broken faith with their God.
As the spokesman for the God of Israel, Ezekiel spoke oracles that vindicate the reputation of this
holy God. This radically God-centered point of view finds its sharpest expression in 36:22–23
(“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O
house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither
ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have
profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD,
when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes”). Thus the primary purpose of Ezekiel’s message
was to restore God’s glory before the people who had spurned it in view of the watching nations.
But Israel’s own welfare was bound up with its God. So the prophet pleads: “for why will ye die, O
house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore
turn yourselves, and live ye.” (18:31–32).
Ezekiel’s message was unrelenting. Of all the books in the OT, only Psalms, Jeremiah, and Genesis
are longer. Ezekiel’s uncompromising message is matched by language that often seems hard and
sometimes offensive. If there is no softening his language, at least it appears that the grandeur of
Ezekiel’s vision of God rendered much of the earthly reality he observed as sordid, and worse. The
appropriate response, in Ezekiel’s terms, is not simply revulsion but repentance and a longing for
the restoration of God’s glory.
Key Themes
1. As a priest, Ezekiel was deeply concerned with the holiness of God, and consequently with the sin
of his people, that is, with any behavior that offended the holy God. These twin themes can hardly be
separated, as attention to matters of purity can be found on nearly every page. Ezekiel’s perception
of the depth of Israel’s sin shows graphically in his version of Israel’s history (ch. 20). Even the
oracles of restored Israel in chapters 40–48 include provision for dealing with the people’s sin so
they can survive in the presence of a holy God. This concern also accounts for the many echoes in
Ezekiel’s oracles of the priestly material in the Pentateuch, particularly in the legislation of Leviticus
and Numbers, as well as the resonances of Ezekiel’s new temple (Ezekiel 40–42) with the Exodus
tabernacle.
2. Israel was of course subject to its national God. However, Ezekiel’s God is no tribal deity but
rather is supreme over all nations. Therefore Nebuchadnezzar, king of mighty Babylon, was simply a
tool in God’s hand to accomplish God’s purpose (e.g., 21:19–23; 30:25). God’s absolute supremacy
finds its most pronounced expression in the battle against Gog, the final enemy (chs. 38–39), where
God alone crushes Gog’s vast hostile forces.
3. The vigilance for holy living that the holy God demands places a claim both on individuals and on
the whole community. Some see a significant milestone in biblical thought in Ezekiel’s preaching on
individual responsibility in chapter 18 (cf. Jer. 31:29–30). While this chapter certainly focuses on
the individual in the modern sense, Ezekiel’s clear expression of the requirements binding on
communities should not thereby be ignored.
4. The very structure of the book declares judgment on those clinging to (false) hope, but true hope
for those who accept judgment (37:11). Ezekiel’s restoration message was heard both before and
after the destruction of Jerusalem, but radically God-centered judgment is partnered with a hope
(‘salvation”) that wholly depends on God’s gifts of a new heart and spirit (36:22–32).
5. The condemnation of Israel’s “princes” (e.g., ch. 19; Ezekiel is reluctant to use the title “king”) finds
its hopeful counterpart in the promise of a future “prince” who would rule with justice (34:23–24)
and stand at the point of connection between God and people (46:1–18).

Reference Year/month/day following Modern Situation
exile of Jehoiachin equivalent*/year
b.c.
1:2 5th year / 4th month / 5th day July 593*** inaugural vision
8:1 6th year / 6th month / 5th day September 592 first temple vision
20:1 7th year / 5th month / 10th day August 591 elders come to inquire
24:1 9th year / 10th month / 10th January 588 or 587 siege of Jerusalem begins
day**
26:1 11th year / month (?) / 1st day c. 587–586 oracle against Tyre, before
Babylon besieged it
29:1 10th year / 10th month / 12th January 587 oracle against Egypt
day
29:17 27th year / 1st month / 1st day April 571**** Egypt assigned to Babylon;
after end of Babylon’s siege
of Tyre
30:20 11th year / 1st month / 7th day April 587 oracle against Egypt
31:1 11th year / 3rd month / 1st day June 587 oracle against Egypt
32:1 12th year / 12th month / 1st March 585 oracle against Egypt
day
32:17 12th year / 12th month / 15th April 585 oracle against Egypt
day
33:21 12th year / 10th month / 5th January 585 fugitive arrives in Babylon
day
40:1 25th year / 1st month (?) / 10th April 573 second temple vision
day (?)
*For simplicity, here and in the notes that follow, only the second month of the modern equivalent
is given (cf. Months in the Hebrew Calendar) **Unique dating formula in Hebrew; see notes
***earliest recorded oracle ****latest recorded oracle
Ezekiel prophesied during a time of great confusion. In 597 b.c. the Babylonians had exiled Judah’s
king Jehoiachin—only 18 years old, and on the throne for only three months—along with several
thousand of its leading citizens (2 Kings 24:10–16). Ezekiel was among their number; he was
probably about 25 years old. The political situation was complex: a Judean king was among the
exiles (Jehoiachin), but the Babylonians had appointed a puppet king to the throne in Jerusalem
(Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah).
The pattern in the history of the exiled northern kingdom of Israel, and now again for the southern
kingdom of Judah, was that prophets emerged in times of crisis to bring God’s message to his
people. The time of Judah’s exile was therefore a period of intense prophetic activity. Jeremiah was
an older contemporary of Ezekiel (and, like Ezekiel, from a priestly family). Ezekiel clearly knows
Jeremiah’s message and develops some of the older prophet’s themes. However, it is not known
whether they ever met, and it seems Jeremiah was not aware of Ezekiel, whose ministry did not
begin until after Ezekiel had been in exile for five years.
Although Ezekiel’s fellow exiles formed his main audience, it seems likely that his oracles would
have been communicated to their compatriots back in Judah. Ezekiel probably lived out his days in
exile. His second temple vision—in which a new constitution for renewed, ideal Israel was spelled
out—came well into the long exile Jeremiah predicted (Jer. 25:8–14). If Ezekiel was 30 years old
when his ministry began, this vision came when he was about 50.
So here is the summary.

 Chapters 1-7: First division (7 chapters) 593 B.C. (5th year)
 Chapters 8-19: Second division (12 chapters) 592 B.C. (6th year)
 Chapters 20-23: Third division (4 chapters) 591 (7th year)
 Chapters 24-25: Fourth division (2 chapter) 589 (9th year)
 Chapters 26-31: Fifth division (6 chapters) 587 (11th year)
 Chapters 32-39: Sixth division (8 chapters) 586 (12th year)
 Chapters 40-48: Seventh division (9 chapters) 573 B.C. (25th year)
o Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon in 588 B.C.
 According to SDA Bible Commentary, A.T. Jones, Sylvester Bliss
Historical Background of names

Idumea [123Edom; red] (the Greek form of Edom) = (Isa. 34:5, 6; Ezek. 35:15). ‘the field of Edom”
(Gen. 32:3), ‘the land of Edom” (Gen. 36:16), was mountainous (Obad. 1:8, 9, 19, 21). It was called
the land, or ‘the mountain of Seir,” the rough hills on the east side of the Arabah…It is a wild and
rugged region, traversed by fruitful valleys. Its old capital was Bozrah (Isa. 63:1). The early
inhabitants of the land were Horites. They were destroyed by the Edomites (Deut. 2:12), between
whom and the kings of Israel and Judah there was frequent war (2 Kings 8:20; 2 Chr. 28:17)… At the
time of the Exodus they churlishly refused permission to the Israelites to pass through their land
(Num. 20:14–21), and ever afterwards maintained an attitude of hostility toward them. They were
conquered by David (2 Sam. 8:14; comp. 1 Kings 9:26), and afterwards by Amaziah (2 Chr. 25:11,
12). But they regained again their independence, and in later years, during the decline of the Jewish
kingdom (2 Kings 16:6; R.V. marg., “Edomites”), made war against Israel. They took part with the
Chaldeans when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, and afterwards they invaded and held
possession of the south of Palestine as far as Hebron 4*(Ezek. 36:5). At length, however, Edom fell
under the growing Chaldean power (Jer. 27:3, 6). There are many prophecies concerning Edom (Isa.
34:5, 6; Jer. 49:7–18; Ezek. 25:13; 35:1–15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11; Obad.; Mal. 1:3, 4) which have
been remarkably fulfilled. The present desolate condition of that land is a standing testimony to the
inspiration of these prophecies. After an existence as a people for above seventeen hundred years,
they have utterly disappeared, and their language even is forgotten for ever.5
Seir 8165 (Hairy) = The name of a mountainous region occupied by the Edomites, extending along
the eastern side of the Arabah from the south-eastern extremity of the Dead Sea to near the Akabah,
or the eastern branch of the Red Sea6.
4
This is my personal addition. It shows that Edom had possession of a part of Palestine.
5Easton, M. G., M. A. D. D., Easton”s Bible Dictionary, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1996.
Conclusion = Edom, Seir, Idumea, and Bozrah are all referring to the land of Edom, the place where
the descendents of Esau occupied. Bozrah was the capital.
Style
Prophetic books often make use of formulaic statements, but such formulas have a frequency and
consistency in Ezekiel not matched in other prophetic writings. Once recognized, these formulas
can greatly help interpretation because they formally mark the introduction and conclusion of
oracles. Introductory formulas include ‘the word of the Lord came unto me” (50 times), or, at
significant junctures, “the hand of the LORD” being upon Ezekiel (1:3; 3:14, 22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1;
40:1). Conclusions are often marked with variations of the “recognition formula,” e.g., ‘they shall
know that I am the Lord” (more than 50 times), and the formula itself is an indication of the book’s
central purpose. Internally, oracles are frequently structured by the terms “because . . . therefore,”
identifying the motivation and the message of the oracle. Some of the unusual aspects of Ezekiel’s
prophecies are inevitably some of the better known. This is true of his frequent recourse to street
theater, and symbolic actions of a quite odd and striking kind (e.g., 4:1–5:17; 12:3–6; 24:16–18;
37:16–17). He also makes plentiful use of extended allegories (e.g., chs. 15–17; 19; 21; 23; etc.).
Especially in the foreign-nation oracles, laments become vehicles for his message (e.g., 27:2; 28:11–
12; 32:2).
Influence
This book stands at a turning point in the history of biblical prophecy. In part this has to do with
Ezekiel’s standing on the cusp between the predominant preexilic message, which called for
repentance by threatening judgment, and postexilic prophecy, which regularly called for
repentance by promising restoration. It has also to do with forms of prophetic experience. While
the origins of apocalyptic literature are still debated, Ezekiel’s visions must play a role in
contributing to its development. In particular, the scenario in which a vision of heavenly realities is
given in the company of a celestial guide-interpreter—so familiar from Zechariah and Daniel, as
well as the NT book of Revelation—finds its headwaters in Ezekiel’s prophecy.
Ezekiel inherited some of his themes from earlier prophets, but his handling of them contributes to
their later shape in the NT. This seems particularly true of the imagery of the “good shepherd”
(34:11–24) and “living water” (47:1–14; cf. Rev. 22:1–2). The book of Revelation draws inspiration
from some of Ezekiel’s most negative images—e.g., the “whoring” of Ezekiel 16 and 23, the enemy
Gog of Magog—but Ezekiel’s vision of a new city also resonates there (Rev. 3:12; 21:1–22:5). There
are few clear hints of resurrection in the OT, but one of them is found in the interpretation of
Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (see Ezek. 37:12–13). Whatever it might have meant to
Ezekiel’s audience, it makes an important contribution to the development of biblical thought.
The Near East at the Time of Ezekiel

c. 593 b.c .Ezekiel recorded his visions and prophecies while living in
the vicinity of Babylon, where he had been exiled years earlier. By
Ezekiel’s time, the Babylonian Empire had engulfed virtually all of
the area along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and would
eventually subdue even the land of Egypt, where many other Judeans
had fled.
Tyre’s International Trade
d 587 b.c. During Ezekiel’s time, the city of Tyre had grown very
wealthy due to its strategic island location in the middle of the
ancient Near East. Tyre served as a sort of international
commodities exchange for the surrounding nations, and
Ezekiel’s extensive list of various nations who traded or
collaborated with Tyre (shown here) gives a glimpse of the city’s
great influence. Merchants from as far away as Persia, southern
Arabia (including Sheba, etc.), and perhaps even Spain (a
possible location of Tarshish) traded their goods there.
Ezekiel Prophesies against Egypt

c. 571 b.c. Ezekiel prophesied that even the great nation of Egypt
and its allies would fall to the Babylonians, who already
occupied the land of Israel and Judah. The rule of the
Babylonians would eventually extend as far as the
borders of Cush, referred to elsewhere as Ethiopia.
None of the great cities of Egypt would be spared
Babylon’s wrath.
Doctrines in Ezekial
New Covenant
Ezek 18:31 We must forsake sin in order to have new heart and spirit.
Ezek 11:19 …I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you…
Many times we quote Ezek 36 as though God will place a new spirit and heart without any effort on
our part. We have a part to play. We must cast away our sins.
Ezek 36:26-28 [26]A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will
take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27]And I will put my
spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
[28]And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be
your God.
The law must be put in heart in order for you to enter the sanctuary.
Ezek 44:9 No stranger, uncircumcised in heart….shall enter into my sanctuary…
The Holy Spirit is God
Ezek 3:24-27 [24] Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and
said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house. [25] But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put
bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them: [26] And I
will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to
them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. [27] But when I speak with thee, I will open thy
mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he
that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.
Ezek 3:24 …spirit..spake with me…
Ezek 3:27 …when I speak with thee..,Lord God…
The Holy Spirit just said that He was God.

Like other prophets called to explain the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel stressed that it was due to the
people’s faithlessness toward God, and therefore to their failure to live as God’s renewed humanity.
He also stressed that even this disaster was not the end of Israel’s story. God would restore them
morally and spiritually, and eventually use Israel to bring light to the Gentiles. Ezekiel adds a
nuance to this prophetic refrain: Israel’s calling was to show forth the holiness of God’s name, but
they had “profaned” that name (treated it as unholy); in restoring them, God would act to vindicate
the holiness of his name before all nations, enabling them to know him.
Outline
Ezekiel is the most overtly and deliberately structured of the Major Prophets. The book as a whole
is organized around the fulcrum of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c., with chapters 1–25
preceding its fall, and chapters 33–48 following. The foreign-nation oracles of chapters 26–32 also
have a chronological ordering, as well as geographical and thematic organization (see notes for
details). The book’s major visions play a structuring role too. The inaugural vision of chapters 1–3
finds an explicit cross-reference in the middle of the first temple vision of chapters 8–11 (see
10:20–22). The “dry bones” vision of 37:1–14 is shorter than the others but plays a pivotal role in
the movement toward restoration, seen in the culminating vision of chapters 40–48, which in turn
makes a pronounced cross-reference back to the inaugural vision as well as the previous temple
vision (43:1–5). These observations alone powerfully imply that in Ezekiel’s book, both content and
form contribute to the message.
 Inaugural Vision (1:1–3:27)

o Setting (1:1–3)
o Inaugural vision (1:4–3:15)
 The throne of the Lord approaches (1:4–28)
 The prophet commissioned (2:1–3:11)
 The throne of the Lord withdraws (3:12–13)
 The vision concludes (3:14–15)
o The watchman (3:16–21) [cf. 33:1–9]
o Inaugural vision reprise (3:22–27)
 Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah (4:1–24:27)
o God against Jerusalem (4:1–5:17)
 God against Jerusalem enacted (4:1–5:4)
 God against Jerusalem explained (5:5–17)
o Oracles against the “land” (6:1–7:27)
 Against the mountains of Israel (6:1–14)
 Against the land of Israel (7:1–27)
o Ezekiel’s temple vision (8:1–11:25)
 Transportation and abominations (8:1–18)
 Slaughter in Jerusalem (9:1–11)
 The fire and the glory (10:1–22)
 Punishment for civic authorities (11:1–13)
 Promise of a new heart, spirit (11:14–21)
 The glory of the Lord departs (11:22–25)
o Anticipating exile (12:1–28)
 Exile predicted (12:1–20)
 Exile confirmed (12:21–28)
o False prophecy, true prophecy (13:1–14:11)
 False prophets (13:1–23)
 False inquirers (14:1–11)
o The consequences of infidelity (14:12–15:8)
 Noah, Daniel, Job (14:12–23)
 The useless vine (15:1–8)
o The faithless bride (16:1–63)
 Jerusalem, the foundling bride (16:1–43)
 Jerusalem and her sisters (16:44–58)
 The everlasting covenant (16:59–63)
o The parable of the eagles and the vine (17:1–24)
 The parable narrated (17:1–10)
 The parable explained (17:11–18)
 The parable interpreted (17:19–21)
 A new parable (17:22–24)
o Moral responsibility (18:1–32)
 The one who sins dies (18:1–4)
 Three case studies (18:5–18)
 Two objections (18:19–29)
 Conclusion: repent! (18:30–32)
o Lament for the princes of Israel (19:1–14)
 A lioness and her cubs (19:1–9)
 A vine and its stem(s) (19:10–14)
o Learning from history (20:1–44)
 Looking to the past (20:1–31)
 Unthinkable idolatry (20:32)
 Looking to the future (20:33–44)
o Fire and sword (20:45–21:32)
 The parable of the fire (20:45–49)
 The drawn sword (21:1–7)
 The sharpened sword (21:8–17)
 The sword of Nebuchadnezzar (21:18–29)
 The sword sheathed and judged (21:30–32)
o A city defiled (22:1–31)
 The bloody city (22:1–16)
 The city of dross (22:17–22)
 Systemic failure (22:23–31)
o Two sisters (23:1–49)
 The sisters and politics (23:1–35)
 The sisters and religion (23:36–49)
o Two losses (24:1–27)
 Jerusalem, the bloody pot (24:1–14)
 No mourning for Ezekiel’s wife (24:15–24)
 Fugitive news (24:25–27)
 Oracles against Foreign Nations (25:1–32:32)
o Against Judah’s neighbors (25:1–17)
 Against Ammon (25:1–7)
 Against Moab (25:8–11)
 Against Edom (25:12–14)
 Against Philistia (25:15–17)
o Oracles against Tyre (26:1–28:19)
 Against Tyre (26:1–21)
 A lament against Tyre (27:1–36)
 Against Tyre’s king (28:1–19)
o Oracle against Sidon (28:20–23)
o Israel gathered in security (28:24–26)
o Oracles against Egypt (29:1–32:32)
 Against Pharaoh (29:1–16)
 Nebuchadnezzar and Egypt (29:17–21)
 Lament for Egypt (30:1–19)
 The kings of Egypt and Babylon (30:20–26)
 The fall of Pharaoh (31:1–18)
 Lament over Pharaoh (32:1–16)
 Egypt’s descent to the pit (32:17–32)
 After the Fall of Jerusalem (33:1–39:29)
o Reminders (33:1–20)
 The watchman (reprise) (33:1–9) [cf. 3:16–21]
 Moral responsibility (reprise) (33:10–20) [cf. 18:21–29]
o The fall of Jerusalem (33:21–22)
o Culpability (33:23–33)
 A word for the homelanders (33:23–29)
 A word for the exiles (33:30–33)
o Shepherds and sheep (34:1–31)
 Wicked shepherds and the good shepherd (34:1–16)
 The flock: problems and prospects (34:17–31)
o The mountains of Edom and Israel (35:1–36:15)
 Against Mount Seir (35:1–15)
 The mountains of Israel restored (36:1–15)
o Restoration for the sake of God’s name (36:16–38)
 State of impurity (36:16–21)
 Divine intervention: a new spirit (36:22–32)
 Land renewed (36:33–36)
 Populace increased (36:37–38)
o The vision of dry bones (37:1–14)
o The houses of Israel and Judah (37:15–28)
o Gog of Magog (38:1–39:29)
 Vision of Restoration (40:1–48:35)
o Vision of the new temple (40:1–42:20)
 The vision begins (40:1–4)
 The outer court and its gates (40:5–27)
 The inner court, gates, and chambers (40:28–49)
 The temple interior (41:1–26)
 Chambers of the outer court (42:1–14)
 Exterior measurements (42:15–20)
o The return of God’s glory (43:1–5)
o Regulations for renewed Israel (43:6–46:18)
 New people for new temple (43:6–12)
 The altar regulations (43:13–27)
 The prince’s gate (44:1–3)
 Temple access and rules for priests (44:4–31)
 The temple districts (45:1–8)
 Legal measurements (45:9–12)
 Offerings and gatherings (45:13–46:15)
 Rules for inheritance of the prince (46:16–18)
o The river flowing from the temple (46:19–47:12)
 The temple kitchens (46:19–24)
 The temple’s river (47:1–12)
o Dividing the land: allotment and access (47:13–48:35)
 The outer boundaries (47:13–23)
 Territories of the northern tribes (48:1–7)
 The central territories (48:8–22)
 Territories of the southern tribes (48:23–29)
 Access to the city (48:30–35)
Chapter 1 – The Glory of the Lord
Glory of Father encircles both – PP 36 ‘the King of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before
Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son and show the relation He
sustained to all created beings. The Son of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the
eternal, self-existent One encircled both."
Note: Christ shared throne in heaven, and through OT, He will not have His own until kingdom of
glory is ushered in.
Christ not yet on throne of glory – GC 416 "Not now "upon the throne of His glory;" the kingdom of
glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God "give
unto Him the throne of His father David," a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end." Luke 1:32, 33.
As a priest, Christ is now set down with the Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21. Upon the
throne with the eternal, self-existent One is He who "hath borne our griefs, and carried our
sorrows,""
Four living creatures control wheels – TA 138 " Upon the banks of the river Chebar, Ezekiel beheld a
whirlwind seeming to come from the north, "a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness
was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber." A number of wheels intersecting
one another were moved by four living beings."
Eternal One Sat Above them – TA 138 "Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by the hand beneath
the wings of the cherubim, were impelling those wheels; above them, upon the sapphire throne,
was the Eternal One"
See 500 The eternal one is the Father
God had hand under wings – 4BC 1161 "In Ezekiel’s vision, God had His hand beneath the wings of
the cherubim. This is to teach His servants that it is divine power that gives them success."
Represent speed of closing work – 4BC 1161 ‘the heavenly messengers seen by Ezekiel, like a bright
light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning, represent the speed with
which this work will finally go forward to completion."
This vision is about the wheel in a wheel and the four living creatures. Verses 3 to 28, give a
description of the throne of God. And to be more accurate it defines four things: 1.) The 4 living
creatures 2.) The wheels within a wheel 3.) The throne 4.) Who sits on the throne. Verses 4 to 14
give a description of the 4 living creatures which are Cherubims. Verses 15 to 21 give a description
of the wheels. Verses 22 to 25 describe the living creatures and the wheels in relationship to the
throne. Verses 26 to 28 give a description of who sat on the throne.
Chapter Outline
 Historical time frame for when the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel (1-3)
 A description of the 4 living creatures (Cherubims) (4-14)
 A description of the wheels (15-21)
 Describe the living creatures and the wheels in relationship to the throne (22-25)
 Description of who sat on the throne (26-28)
Time frame for the book of Ezekiel (1-3)
1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was
among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
“thirtieth year" – Verses 1 and 2 give the historical time frame of when Ezekiel received the
visions.
1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
"fifth year of…Jehoiachin’s captivity" – The fifth year of Jehoiachin’s captivity would place us at
593 B.C. But what about the 30th year. What is that talking about? It is not talking about his age,
because historians make it clear that Ezekiel was young when he went into captivity, and five years
later he wasn’t 30. If you take 593 and add 30 what do you get? 623 B.C. What historical event will
this take us to? Who was on the throne in 623 B.C.? Josiah, what happened in 623 B.C.? This marked
the year that the book of the law was found in the temple.
2 Chron 34:1-8 [1] Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem
one and thirty years. [2] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the
ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. [3] ¶ For in the
eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father:
and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves,
and the carved images, and the molten images. [4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his
presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved
images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the
graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. [5] And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their
altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. [6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim,
and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. [7] And when he had broken
down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the
idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. [8] ¶ Now in the eighteenth year of
his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and
Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the
LORD his God.
In the same year they kept the Passover.
2 Kings 23:22, 23 [22] Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that
judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; [23] But in the
eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
So this was the 30th year since that Passover, it was a jubilee from which he reckons.
"Jehoiachin’s captivity" – Just as a footnote: Modecai was taken to Babylon during the same
captivity of Ezekiel and Jehoiachin.
Esther 2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried
away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
1:3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the
Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
Description of the 4 living creatures (Cherubims) (4-14)
1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself,
and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the
fire.
"great cloud"
1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their
appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
"four living creatures" – This shows that clouds represent angels. In this case Cherubims to be
more specific.
1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
"four faces...four wings" – This describes the physical appearance of the Cherubim.
1:7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they
sparkled like
the colour of burnished brass.
"feet...burnished brass" – Why is this here? A similar description is given of Jesus in other places
in the Bible. Why do this Cherubim have brass feet, the Bible says the Jesus also has brass feet.
Why? (study on your own).
Dan 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as
lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like
the voice of a multitude.
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of
many waters.
Rev 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a
rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces
and their wings.
“hands of a man" – These are the hands of God.
1:9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one
straight forward.
1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right
side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
"faces…man...lion...ox…eagle" – This is a similar description that is also seen in Rev 4. The

difference is that these are Cherubims, and the others are Seraphims. The seraphims have 1 face
and 6 wings, and the cherubims have 4 faces and 4 wings. They all have eyes round about. They are
beholding the gospel. Peter explains this in his epistle.
1 Pet 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the
things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the
Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Take note of this description.

 Man = Humanity
 Lion = King
 Ox = Servant
 Eagle = Divine
In order for us to receive complete salvation our Savior must be all 4. That is why when you look at
Zechariah 6:13 it says the “counsel of peace” shall be between them both. That refers to the plan of
salvation, They had a counsel about Christ being all 4 of these things. But this is prior to the birth of
Jesus Christ. So what were the angels beholding? They were beholding the Gospel in the Old
Testament. The OT clearly shows all phases of the gospel of Christ. Does it talk about Him coming as
man? Ex…Isa 53. Yes, does it talk about Him coming as a King? Ex…Ps. 2. Yes, does it talk about Him
coming as a servant? Yes, and does it speak of Him as divine? Yes. Ex…Isa 9.
1:11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined
one to another, and two covered their bodies.
1:12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned
not when they went.
“spirit was to go" – There is no independent action of the part of these creatures. Their movements
are in harmony with the directions of the Spirit. (v.20) Have you ever wondered where the Holy
Spirit is when the angels are doing their work? We see from this picture that the Holy Spirit directs
the movements of the angels as they do the work of God. It is like He is doing what He is suppose to
and at the same time He directs the angels Gabriel go here, you there.
EGW (SM) says the Holy Spirit and the angels work on the hearts of man at the same time.
Extra: But when you look at Daniel 10 you see Christ come down. Why? Because the great
controversy is between Christ and Satan. Satan’s primary attack is on Jesus not the Father. That is
why in Story of Redemption the Father got off the throne and told Jesus since Satan is attacking you,
I will step back and let you two match might against might.
SR 16
Side note: "Great God" used to describe the Father many times.
1:13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like
the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and
out of the fire went forth lightning.
This verse is very important in relationship to chapter 10. This shows that angels were going up
and down between the wheels. The living creatures.
4BC 1161 Represents speed work will be done with.
1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
Here we see that angels look like lightning. This is the same thing we see in
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were
seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Matt 28:1-3 [1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. [2] And, behold, there was a great
earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone
from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Description of the wheels (15-21)

VERSE [15] Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living
creatures, with his four faces. [16] The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the
colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it
were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. [17] When they went, they went upon their four sides: and
they turned not when they went. [18] As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful;
and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. [19] And when the living creatures went,
the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels
were lifted up. [20] Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and
the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
[21] When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted
up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature
was in the wheels.
1:15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with
his four
faces.
“I beheld the living creatures” – These four creatures are cherubim of God. Ezk 10. And these four
living creatures makes up the throne of God, and they move together. They have wheels under
them.
PK 535,356 The wheels were so complicated in arrangement that at first sight they appeared to be
in confusion; yet they moved in perfect harmony. Heavenly beings, sustained and guided by the hand
beneath the wings of the cherubim, were impelling those wheels; above them, upon the sapphire
throne, was the Eternal One; and round about the throne was a rainbow, the emblem of divine mercy.
As the wheellike complications were under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the
cherubim, so the complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and
tumult of nations He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs of this earth.
That was the meaning of the vision. Even Ezekiel saw all the problems and troubles in Israel, the
first vision God showed to discouraged Ezekiel was this: “Ezekiel, despite of all these confusions,
troubles and conflicts, yet I am still in control ultimately!” Do you see these wheels in you life? The
conflicts, troubles, confusions… But you have to understand this: you are led to come to this place
by the HS, and Satan tries to bring circumstances and environment to discourage you, but how
complicate it may look to be, God will be in control of your life – if you keep you covenant to God
faithfully.
“living creatures” – How many where they? 4 So he looked at all four creatures. There was one
wheel next to each living creature. You have 4 living creatures who moved the 4 wheels. This is
seen more clearly in chap. 10). In Chapter 10 we see that these four living creatures are the
cherubims of God. And the before them is the throne of God. They have wings under them.
We can see confusion in our church, but God is still in charge. As he saw the tumult and rebellion in
the church and nation of Israel. Ezekiel was discouraged, and God was saying that I am in charge. If
you have complications and tumults in your life. You were led to come here by the Holy Spirit. Satan
causes circumstances to make you frustrated. Even if it looks complicated, God is in control if you
consecrate yourself to God. Keep your promise to Him.
1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had
one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
There were "four" but they all looked the same. They had one likeness. They all looked like there
was a wheel inside of a wheel.
1:17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
1:18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round
about them
four.
1:19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were
lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
"when the living creatures went…the wheels went" – This is a detailed description of what
happens when God’s throne moves. As the Cherubims move, the wheels move. The throne is
moveable. This is where you would come to describe what happened in 1844. God moved from the
Holy Place to the Most Holy Place. And you cross reference to Dan 7:9-10, 13.
Ps 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
Ps 104:3 …who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
Ps 68:17 …the chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is]
among them
1:20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were
lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
This verse reiterates verse 12.
1:21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up
from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in
the wheels.
Describe the living creatures and the wheels in relationship to the
throne (22-25)
VERSE [22] And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the
colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. [23] And under the firmament
were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side,
and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. [24] And when they went, I heard
the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of
speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. [25] And there was a
voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
1:22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the
terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
"firmament" – This describes the space that was above their heads.
1:23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two,
which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
Read over verses 23 to 25.
1:24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of
the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
1:25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let
down their wings.
Description of who sat on the throne (26-28)

VERSE [25] And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood,
and had let down their wings. [26] And above the firmament that was over their heads was the
likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was
the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. [27] And I saw as the colour of amber, as the
appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from
the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had
brightness round about. [28] As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so
was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the
glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance
of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man
above upon it.
“throne" – Who was this on the throne? Watch the description.
1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the
appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it
were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
"fire round about…loins even upward…loins downward…fire" – Who is this?
1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the
brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I
saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
"bow that is in the cloud…glory of the Lord" – This is the same bow that is seen in Rev 4:3 (also
says one sat, but both were there. ch. 5). When you look at the bow in V.28. It is a memorial of the
covenant promise. What is the covenant promise?
Note: Lord = Jehovah = ‘the existing One” (the proper name of the one true God)
This covenant includes everything you have seen in verses 3-28. God sending His Son to fulfill all 4
categories: To be Man, King, Servant, and Divine, and this in connection with the work of the angels
under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit working in our lives, all of this with throne
of God to bring salvation to mankind. This is the covenant. So in chapter 1 you are really looking at
the Gospel of Jesus Christ (as seen in the OT) in connection with the work of the angels, the work of
the Holy Spirit and the Work of the Father to redeem and save man. Note: But beneath all of this you
are still able to see and identify the nature of the Godhead. You can see how they work together to
achieve the ultimate goal. You will see this in chapter 2.
Summary
Look very carefully at what we have here. Chapter 1 ends with a voice of one that spake. This Divine
Being is on the throne (there are really two being on the throne). And after He speaks you see the
Holy Spirit aid Ezekiel in helping him stand to his feet. What do we have right here? We have all 3
members of the Godhead present from chapter 1:26 to chapter 2:2. They are separate and distinct
Beings.
Chapter 2 – The Calling of Ezekial
2:1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
“stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee” – Who is he? The one who sat on the throne.
2:2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him
that spake unto me.
What is happening in this verse? The Holy Spirit stood Ezekiel on his feet so that Christ could speak
to him. Remember God has not revealed everything to our understanding in reference to the
Godhead, so we will not understand everything. It is like you come to a barrier in your
understanding, at that point, you must exercise faith. But when you get to that barrier stop, silence
is golden. But there are things that have been revealed. When you talk about the Godhead this is
what you have. You have 3 separate divine beings who are God. They are one. They work together
in a supplementary fashion to accomplish salvation for mankind. And in the work of salvation they
all have consented to have distinct roles. The Father is the head, He has the final say as to what
happens and how. Christ is the Word of God, He expresses the will of the Father. Remember out of
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, but the heart is made up of thoughts and feelings. So
when we say Christ is the Word of God. Christ expresses the thoughts and feelings of God. And the
purpose of the Holy Spirit is to help you to experience that Word. There is a concerted or joint effort
that exists between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. That is why the Bible is called the sword of
the Spirit. (Eph 6:17) The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and impresses it on the heart. That is
why when Christ would speak to the multitudes the servant of the Lord tells us that as He would
speak the Holy Spirit would impress the words on their heart.
See DA 79 - 80 Jesus in temple, Jesus spoke and the Holy Spirit worked on their hearts.
So what I am about to share with you in this verse, please do not take it and stretch it farther then it
should go. But watch! The whole purpose of this verse is to show you how the Godhead works in a
harmonious fashion. In verse 1 what did Christ say? Stand upon thy feet. And then in V.2 what
happened? The Spirit entered into Ezekiel and helped him to experience that word by standing to
his feet. (Just stick with the text don’t go anywhere else. Don’t add anything don’t take away
anything.)
Note: This also shows that they are separate beings. You have God on the throne speaking and the
Spirit working. God spoke and the Spirit picked him up to hear the word of God.
Note: And the whole purpose of seeing the work of the Holy Spirit in the beginning chapters of
Ezekiel is to help you to understand how God will perform His new covenant.
Ezek 36:26-27 …new spirit will I put…
Ezek 37:14 …my spirit within you…
Ezek 39:29 …my spirit within you…
Now this was the missing ingredient that was not fully scene in the book of Jeremiah. Yes God said
He would give them a new heart, but how? By His Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is seen so you
can understand how you can have a new heart. And you can experience that heart through the
power the Holy Spirit using the Word of God to change your heart. When people go around and say
there is no Holy Spirit they are speaking against the only agency that God has given to change our
character and help us experience a new heart, victory over sin. When you look at the work of the
Holy Spirit in chapter one as He works in the living creatures to direct their movements and actions,
showing that they are in harmony with God’s will, and when you look at the Holy Spirit helping
Ezekiel to stand to his feet. This is there as an example of how God works in us (with our consent of
course) to perform His will. Now you understand
Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
2:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath
rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
From verse 3 to 8 he just tells him to go speak His word and not to be afraid of them. They are
rebellious, they need to know that a prophet has been among them, but he never says what to
speak. What will he say?
2:4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto
them, Thus
saith the Lord GOD.
2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet
shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and
thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed
at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for
they are most rebellious.
2:8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house:
open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;
2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein
lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
We know he will go forth and speak what is written within and without. Lamentations, mouring,
and woe. That is what is written in this book. This is not the same book as the book that has the
seven seals in Revelation. But the imagery was taken from here.
Chapter 3 – A Watchman for Israel
3:1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the
house of Israel.
3:2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.
3:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give
thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
Ezek 3:1-3 [1] Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak
unto the house of Israel. [2] So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. [3] And he said
unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did
I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
We find the similar description in Rev 10: the Great Disappointment Experience. So this is talking
about the Ezekiel’s disappointment. When he received these words from God, it was so sweet in his
mouth. This goes with the disappointment of Ezekiel as well. He received the word of God and it
was sweet, so He went out to share it and preach it. And he met persecution. People didn’t like him,
they wanted to kill him. This was his bitter experience. Yet, when he went out with fire to share and
preach this message, he got rebellion, oppositions, persecutions, people trying to kill him, and
people doesn’t like him: he had the bitterness experience. This represents the word of God being
given to Ezekiel. Even though this book had lamentations, and mouring, and woe, it was still sweet.
Has to do with judgments, statues, law, etc. when these are kept it is sweet, but when they are
broken lamentations, and mourning come. He would have a bitter experience because of how the
people would respond to the Word of the Lord.
Similar description as
Jer 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing
of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
3:4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto
them.
3:5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of
Israel;
3:6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not
understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.
3:7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house
of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.
3:8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their
foreheads.
3:9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at
their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
3:10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine
heart, and hear with thine ears.
Read over
3:11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and
tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Ezek 3:7-11 [7] But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me:
for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. [8] Behold, I have made thy face strong
against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. [9] As an adamant harder than
flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a
rebellious house. [10] Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto
thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. [11] And go, get thee to them of the captivity,
unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
When you go out there, you don’t preach the word just to flatter their ears. Just to please their
heart. Whether they like it or not, you preach the word.
3:12 Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the
glory of the LORD from his place.
“spirit took me up" – What does this tell you about the Holy Spirit? He has the ability to transport,
but how? He took him up, how do I do that? With hands. You see the same thing in the NT when the
Holy Spirit caught away Philip.
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
3:13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of
the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
3:14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but
the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.
“Heat of my spirit” – “heat” also means “hot anger.” He is going with anger, because when he
received the vision he said I’ll preach it, but after rejection he became frustrated. The word of God
was sweet in his mouth, but the experience of the peoples reaction caused him to be bitter.
“spirit lifted me up" – Same thing.
3:15 Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where
they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
For 7 days he could not say anything. he was discouraged, he couldn’t say it directly, so a rebuke
came.
"astonished…seven days" – Can you imagine?
3:16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
These 5 verses (16-21) lay the foundation for what God will say in chapters 14, 18, and 33. He is
teaching a very important concept here in relationship to sins and how they will be accounted to
each persons record.
KEY TEXT: And of course it kills original sin, and describes the nature of sin. PAY ATTENTION TO
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!
3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my
mouth, and give them warning from me.
3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to
warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but
his blood will I require at thine hand.
App: When God calls me to be a messenger this exact scripture applies to me. When I preach it is
not done to save my own neck or reputation. I must tell them as it is in the Word of God and Spirit
of Prophecy. When you preach the word of God with loving and compassionate heart yet with
straightforward messages, you may not be that popular minister. They may oppose you and speak
against you. What would you do? The straight testimony doesn’t mean only pointing out sins and
apostasies of people and individuals. It means you preach the word as it is. You preach the truth
without watering it down. Let the truth cut. Not your own attitude or words. Not your sermon style.
Let the truth cut. You preach strong sermons based upon the word of God. But you do not attack.
Don’t accuse anyone. Don’t attack the church. Just tell them as it is in the Word of God. Many
preachers try to cut by their own words and attitudes. You make people’s hearts more hardened,
then you will be responsible. Preach with tears in your heart, you are appealing to Him. Essentialy
you interpret the Bible and SOP and give it to them. Being a messenger of God is not easy life. Of
course straight testimony is not only pointing out the apostasies, mistakes and sins of the church.
Do not misunderstand this point! Straight testimony means you preach the word as it is! You
preach the truth! You do not cut them with your own sword – your own words or attitude, but let
the truth cut them! Straight preachers do not accuse the church, attack individuals, you just tell
them as it is in the word of God. There are preachers who are trying to cut with their own words, by
their own attitude. You rather harden their heart, not help them at all. When you preach, you
preach with the HS in your heart, tears in your heart. Let the word cut, let the truth cut. You
interpret it and give to them.
3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall
die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a
stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin,
and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine
hand.
Review: The first section chapter 1:1-33:20 is from 593 B.C. until 586 B.C. The second section
chapter 33:21- 48:35 is from 586 B.C. until he ends.
Ezek 3:15-20 [15] Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar,
and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. [16] And it came to
pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [17] Son of man, I
have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give
them warning from me. [18] When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him
not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked
man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. [19] Yet if thou warn the
wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity;
but thou hast delivered thy soul. [20] Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness,
and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given
him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be
remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
“His blood will I require at thine hand” – When Ezekiel was discouraged, he just sat and
remained there for seven days. 15.
Martin Luther (Read in GC), for first two years, thought that with his message, all his colleagues and
professors would rise up together with him and work in reformation. But in his surprise, they
became the worst enemy for the work! He was struggling and disappointed that he once said to
himself, “Am I really fighting against God?”
3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he
shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
3:22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain,
and I will there talk with thee.
3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the
glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.
"glory of the Lord" – This is referring to the same thing in chapter 1:28
3:24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go,
shut thyself within thine house.
“spirit" – Who are we talking about here? THE HOLY SPIRIT
“spake with me" – WHO IS DOING THE TALKING RIGHT HERE? THE HOLY SPIRIT. So clearly this
shows that He can speak. So He has a mouth, and the Bible says out of the abundance of the Heart or
the MIND the mouth speaketh. So this shows that the Holy Spirit has a MIND. And the word heart
refers to two things. Thoughts and Feelings, and the Thoughts and Feelings combined make up the
what? CHARACTER. SO THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A CHARACTER. WE SEE THAT HE HAS HANDS, HE
CAN SPEAK, HE HAS A HEART, MIND AND CHARACTER. CLEARLY THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THE
HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON!!! Now is He divine? WATCH VERY CAREFULLY.
3:25 But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and
thou shalt not go out among them:
Who is speaking? The Holy Spirit
“they shall put" – What tense is this? FUTURE TENSE. The Holy Spirit just told him what will
happen in the future. Showing that the Holy Spirit has the ability to tell the future, just like Christ
did on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24, and like the Father did in Acts 2:22-23. So we know that
the Holy Spirit is Omniscient. HE IS ALL KNOWING!! And if that is not enough….watch this.,,
3:26 And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be
to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
Read over
3:27 But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious
house.
"when I speak" – Who is speaking? The Holy Spirit
“thus saith the Lord God" – The Holy Spirit just called Himself, what? GOD! Now the issue is
settled forever. If you can accept the plain testimony of the Word of God. It is over. Many times we
use Acts 5:3-4 to show that He is God. That is good, but that is Peter speaking. Here you have the
HOLY SPIRIT in the Old Testament, saying. I am GOD. It is a stronger testimony. You can put the two
together.
"He that heareth let him hear" – This means let him receive into his heart.
Ezek 2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written
therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
Where else have you heard this?
Rev 2-3 …spirit sayeth to the churches…
In Revelation you see the work of the Holy Spirit among God’s people as a church. In Ezekiel you see
the work of the Holy Spirit among God’s people as a nation. The Holy Spirit has never been idle. He
has been working with the church every since it was started, before that, He has been working with
God’s people when they were a nation. And His work then was suppose to produce the same result,
perfection, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Summary
In the scriptures you have to pay attention. Sometimes you have a testimony that comes straight
from the Father, other times it comes straight from the Son, and as we just saw sometimes from the
Holy Spirit. Remember I am just scratching the surface. I am sharing more observations than
interpretation right now.
Chapter 4 – Seige of Jerusalem Symbolized
In Chapter 4 you have a picture of the destruction of Jerusalem. You have it being mentioned in
Jeremiah, but from a different angle. They didn’t know the Lord, their hearts departed, they broke
the covenant, so God brought destruction in order to cleanse them and give them a heart to know
the Lord, so He could restore the covenant. But now you have the issue of the destruction of
Jerusalem coming up again, but now you will see the core issue as to why God is going to destroy
Jerusalem. Chapter 4 tells you it is going to be destroyed. Chapter 5 tells you why, and then you will
see an emphasis.
In chapter 5-7 you have an emphasis on one phrase "abomination."
4:1 Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even
Jerusalem:
"Jerusalem" – Which siege is this a description of? The one in 589 B.C. under the reign of Zedekiah.
This was predicted in 593 B.C. Seen in
Jer 39:2-3 [2] And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month,
the city was broken up. [3] And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle
gate, even Nergal–sharezer, Samgar–nebo, Sarsechim, Rab–saris, Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, with all
the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Ezek 24:1-2 [1] Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word
of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same
day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also
against it, and set battering rams against it round about.
4:3 Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city: and
set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This shall be a sign to
the house of Israel.
4:4 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the
number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.
"iniquity...according to the…days"
4:5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three
hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.
“the years" – This shows that in this acted parable, a day represented a year. Why did Ezekiel do
this?
Ezek 24:24 …thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do
4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity
of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
4:7 Therefore thou shalt set thy face toward the siege of Jerusalem, and thine arm shall be uncovered,
and thou shalt prophesy against it.
4:8 And, behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till
thou hast ended the days of thy siege.
4:9 Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put
them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie
upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.
"wheat…barley, beans, lentils, millet, and fitches"
4:10 And thy meat which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt
thou eat it.
"meat" – What is meat? Wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet…fitches. The Health message
4:11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.
4:12 And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in
their sight.
4:13 And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles,
whither I will drive them.
Whole purpose of the parable.
4:14 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till
now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable
flesh into my mouth.
"dieth of itself...torn in pieces…abominable flesh" – Health message: Where in the Bible is

described as abominable flesh?
Lev 11
Deut 14:3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.
4:15 Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy
bread therewith.
4:16 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they
shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:
4:17 That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for
their iniquity.
Chapter 5 – Jerusalem will be Destroyed
5:1 And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause it to pass upon
thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.
5:2 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled:
and thou shalt take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in
the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.
“third part" – Represents judgment.
5:3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.
5:4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire; for
thereof shall a fire come forth into all the house of Israel.
5:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that
are round about her.
Read over verses 5 to 8.
5:6 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more
than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they
have not walked in them.
5:7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye multiplied more than the nations that are round
about you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have done
according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you;
5:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in
the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.
5:9 And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like,
because of all thine abominations.
“abominations” – take note.
5:10 Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and
I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.
5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy
detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine
eye spare, neither will I have any pity.
“defiled my sanctuary” – This verse give the crux of the matter. It gives the main reason why God
is going to destroy Jerusalem. It is because they have “defiled the sanctuary.
“detestable things” … “abominations” – You will see this in detail in Chapter 8.
“neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity” – Remember this phrase.
Ezek 5:11 …neither shall mine eye spare, nearly will I have any pity…
Ezek 7:4, 9 …mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity…
Ezek 8:18 …mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity…
Ezek 9:5 …Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity.
Ezek 9:10 …mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity…
He is dealing with pouring out wrath with no mercy. This is more for us than them.
5:12 A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the
midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part
into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
5:13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be
comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my
fury in them.
5:14 Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in
the sight of all that pass by.
5:15 So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are
round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I
the LORD have spoken it.
5:16 When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and
which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of
bread:
5:17 So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and
blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.
Chapter 6 – Judgment against Idolatry
6:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
6:2 Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
6:3 And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the
mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you,
and I will destroy your high places.
6:4 And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain
men before your idols.
6:5 And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your
bones round about your altars.
6:6 In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that
your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your
images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
6:7 And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
"ye shall know that I am the Lord" – Remember this phrase too. It is seen 67 times in the book of
Ezekiel. The last time you see it is in chapter 39.
Ezek 6:7, 10, 13-14 [7] And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the
LORD. [10] And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do
this evil unto them. [13] Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among
their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under
every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their
idols. [14] So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate
than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 7:4, 9, 27 [7] And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense
thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am
the LORD. [9] And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according
to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the
LORD that smiteth. [27] The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and
the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and
according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 11:10, 12 [10] Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall
know that I am the LORD. [12] And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my
statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are
round about you.
Ezek 12:15, 16, 20, 25 [15] And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them
among the nations, and disperse them in the countries. [16] But I will leave a few men of them from
the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations
among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. [20] And the cities
that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the
LORD. [25] For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall
be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it,
saith the Lord GOD.
Ezek 13:9, 14, 21, 23 [9] And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine
lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the
house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord
GOD. [14] So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it
down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall
be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [21] Your kerchiefs also will
I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted;
and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [23] Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine
divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will
cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 15:7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall
devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
Ezek 16:62 And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
Ezek 20:12, 20, 26, 38, 42, 44 [12] Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me
and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. [20] And hallow my sabbaths;
and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. [26]
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the
womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD. [38]
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring
them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and
ye shall know that I am the LORD. [42] And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you
into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
[44] And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not
according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the
Lord GOD.
Ezek 22:16 And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt
know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 23:49 And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your
idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Ezek 24:24, 27 [24] Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do:
and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the LORD GOD. [27] In that day shall thy mouth be
opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign
unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 25:5, 7, 11, 17 [5] And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a
couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [7] Behold, therefore I will stretch
out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from
the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt
know that I am the LORD. [11] And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I
am the LORD. [17] And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they
shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Ezek 26:6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know
that I am the LORD.
Ezek 28:22-24, 26 [22] And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I
will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have
executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her. [23] For I will send into her pestilence, and
blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on
every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD. [24] And there shall be no more a pricking brier
unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them;
and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. [26] And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build
houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments
upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their
God.
Ezek 29:6, 9, 16, 21 [6] And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they
have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. [9] And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste;
and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.
[16] And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to
remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. [21] In
that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the
mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 30:8, 9, 25, 26 [8] And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt,
and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. [19] Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they
shall know that I am the LORD. [25] But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the
arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword
into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. [26] And I will
scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall
Ezek 32:15 When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that
whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am the
LORD.
Ezek 33:29 Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate
because of all their abominations which they have committed.
Ezek 34:27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and
they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of
their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
Ezek 35:4, 9, 12, 15 [4] I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know
that I am the LORD. [9] I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye
shall know that I am the LORD. [12] And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard
all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid
desolate, they are given us to consume. [15] As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of
Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all
Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 36:11, 23, 38 [11] And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and
bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your
beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [23] And I will sanctify my great name, which was
profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall
know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. [38]
As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with
flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 37:6, 13 [6] And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you
with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [13] And ye
shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up
out of your graves,
Ezek 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many
nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Ezek 39:6, 7, 22 [6] And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the
isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD. [7] So will I make my holy name known in the midst of
my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know
that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. [22] So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD
their God from that day and forward. [28] Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which
caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own
land, and have left none of them any more there.
6:8 Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations,
when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
"yet will I leave a remnant"
6:9 And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried
captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their
eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have
committed in all their abominations.
Watch this repetition.
Ezek 5:9, 11 …abominations…
Ezek 6:9, 11 …abominations…
Ezek 7:3, 4, 8, 9, 20 …abominations…
And chapter 8 will define what they are.
6:10 And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil
unto them.
6:11 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the
evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the
pestilence.
6:12 He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that
remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.
6:13 Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round
about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and
under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.
6:14 So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the
wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 7 – The Day of the Wrath of the Lord
7:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
7:2 Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon
the four corners of the land.
7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according
to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
What does this verse sound like? Where did you hear a similar desciption? Jeremiah 17. So what
does that tell you about these abominations that he has described thus far? They are written two
places, and now He is going to award them according to the sins in heaven.
7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee,
and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
7:6 An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
7:7 The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble
is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
“time is come”
“day of trouble” – What is this talking about? What is it referring to? Chap. 4 already described the
day of trouble. Watch..
7:8 Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge
thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
“shortly pour out my fury upon thee…for all thine abominations"
7:9 And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways
and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.
"eye shall not spare...will I have pity" – So what is the “day of trouble” contextually it refers to the
destruction of Jerusalem. Notice
Ezek 9:8 …pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem…
When you took at this phrase “day of trouble” It doesn’t refer to just one thing. You see the same
thing in the contemporary books.
Zeph 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and
desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Hab 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my
bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the
people, he will invade them with his troops.
Jer 51:2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the
day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
Jer 30:5-7 [5] For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
[6] Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with
his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? [7] Alas! for that
day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
You must put them all together. The day of the Lord for us according to Zeph is a day when God will
consume all things from off the earth. Falling of the seven last plagues. Hab shows how God will
punish His enemies and deliver His people. Under the falling of the sixth plague you have Jer 51:2
when they shall be against her, or come against Babylon. And all of this falls under the general
picture of the destruction of Jerusalem, which represents the destruction of the world.
7:10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath
budded.
7:11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor
of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.
7:12 The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is
upon all the multitude thereof.
7:13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is
touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the
iniquity of his life.
7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is
upon all the multitude thereof.
7:15 The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with
the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
7:16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all
of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
7:17 All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
7:18 They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be
upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
7:19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold
shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls,
neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
7:20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their
abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
This verse is a key to unlock chapter 16. What is he talking about right here?
"ornament, he set it, meaning the ornament in majesty"
“set it" far from them, what is set far from them? The ornament
7:21 And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil;
and they shall pollute it.
Give what to the hands of strangers? "a spoil"
“shall pollute it" – What is it?
7:22 My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter
into it, and defile it.
"pollute my secret place" – This is talking about His sanctuary. The earthly sanctuary
“robbers shall enter into it...and defile it" – Who are these robbers? Babylon. So when you look
at Daniel 11:14 (short synopsis of first 13 verses) "robbers of thy people" you know this has to do
with those who will pollute, defile and destroy God’s sanctuary. Who are they? Pagan Rome.
Contextual word linkage, and pagan Rome is called Babylon.
1 Pet 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus
my son.
We know that Peter was referring to Rome.
7:23 Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
7:24 Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make
the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.
7:25 Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision
of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
7:27 The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people
of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I
judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 8 – Abominations in the Temple
Ezekiel chapters 8 & 9, read and study these chapters. Ezekiel received a visit from certain Elders
from Jerusalem. They came to his house. And they were discussing about the future of the church
and its problems. At this time Ezekiel was caught up in vision like when EGW was taken off in vision
while the saints were worshipping.
(*PO This shows the tests of a prophet. They have visions in public.)
God showed him the problems of the church in the temple. He was taken to a hole in the wall. He
saw drawings of abominable things. Ezekiel saw graffiti of all the abominable creeping things in the
wall of the temple. The temple of God was defiled by these abominable practices and wrong
teachings.
In Chapter 8 we see greater abominations. The women were weeping for Tammuz. Tammuz is the
daughter of Nimrod the Baal god. 25 leaders were facing the east and worshipping the sun. They
turned their backs to the temple of the Lord. They were suppose to be crying and weeping between
the porch and the altar. Their faces would be toward the MHP. But they turned their backs against
the MHP towards the East and they worshipped the sun. These were priest. 25 elders turning back
from the Most Holy Place, facing the East and bowing down toward the sun.
8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine
house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.
8:2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even
downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of
amber.
8:3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up
between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the
inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh
to jealousy.
"image of jealousy" – Empires of the Bible A.T. Jones pg. 400 " image of Astarte"
EB 206 Baal and Astarte, or Ashtoreth, were the chief Phoenician deities, male and female
respectively, and corresponded to the Assyrian Bel and Ishtar. Baal was the sun, and Ashtoreth the
moon."
See EB 262-263 Represents Easter.
Ezek 8:14 …tammuz…
TAMMUZ — a corruption of Dumuzi, the Accadian sun-god (the Adonis of the Greeks), the husband of the
goddess Ishtar. In the Chaldean calendar there was a month set apart in honour of this god, the month of June
to July, the beginning of the summer solstice. At this festival, which lasted six days, the worshippers, with loud
lamentations, bewailed the funeral of the god, they sat “weeping for Tammuz” (Ezek. 8:14). The name, also
borrowed from Chaldea, of one of the months of the Hebrew calendar. 7"
TAMMUZ - A deity worshiped by the Babylonians under the name , variously designated the brother
or son, husband or lover, of the goddess Ishtar. Tammuz was the god of vegetation and pasture and the
patron of flocks. According to ancient tradition he died annually and descended into the nether world. His
passing was marked by the drying up of the crops, pastures, and streams by the summer’s heat. His departure
was celebrated by public festivities of mourning and the singing of dirges in the 4th month of the Semitic year
(Duzu or Tammuz, beginning in our June or July, see Vol. II, p. 116.) Annually, too, Ishtar was believed to
descend into the underworld to awaken the dead god. His awakening and return were supposed to cause
vegetation to flourish again. The Greeks preserved a similar account in their myth of Demeter and
Persephone. Tammuz was worshiped in Babylonia, Assyria, Phoenicia, and Palestine. In Phoenicia, the cult
took the form of the worship of Adonis (Semitic , “lord”), a local Phoenician deity, and the name
Adonis was transmitted to the Greeks, whose myth of Venus and Adonis was passed on through the Romans.
Although early tradition identified Tammuz with Adonis, actually the worship of Adonis was only one form of
the widespread worship of Tammuz. When the cult was first adopted by the Jews is not known. The fact that
the Tammuz festival fell in the fourth month and not in the ‘sixth month,” the time of Ezekiel’s vision, presents
no problem. The prophet saw it in vision and was doubtless shown representations of the wickedness
practiced at various times in Jerusalem.8
8:4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.
8:5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine
eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in
the entry.
8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that
the house
of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou
shalt see greater abominations.
This verse shows that the abominations, the image of jealousy, idolatry, etc. is what causes Him to
leave the sanctuary.
8:7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.
8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a
door.
8:9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.
8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the
idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.
"abominable beast...idols…"
8:11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of
them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of
incense went up.
"Jazaniah son of Shaphan" – Shows a contrast between him and his father. The one who found the
book of the law.
8:12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the
8Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association) 1978.
dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath
forsaken the earth.
8:13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.
8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and,
behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
8:15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see
greater
abominations than these.
8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple
of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward
the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
By worshipping towards the east, they turned their backs on the Presence of Jehovah manifested
within the sanctuary, and they worshiped the rising sun. this picture closes with the words that
indicate that by these things the inhabitants of Jerusalem had closed their probationary period.
8:17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that
they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and
have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.
8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they
cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
Then follows the commission to the men with slaughtering weapons to slay all except those who
are marked with the seal of God.
Chapter 9 – Slaying of the Idolaters
As we come into chapter 9 please keep in mind the fact that Ezekiel is still in vision. That means that
the representations of these characters are symbolic. The shephard’s rod and others use this
chapter to say all kind of things, but you must stick with the clear teachings of the bible and SOP.
God is telling six men. They kill people unless they have the mark in their forehead.
She is implying that the experience in Ez 8 and 9 will be the last day experience for spiritual Israel.
It is talking about the last day remnant people. If we don’t have the experience of being separated
from sin we cannot be marked. In Hebrew the word mark is not there. It says put a toel on their
forehead. Other Bibles cannot translate the word ‘toh” which is the last alphabet in the Hebrew
alphabet. Only the Hebrew Bible can translate that. To put a toh on their head means that they were
the last remnant that remained. Their faith endured until the end. Matthew 24. These people are
shaken by error and false teachings and they endure until the end and remain. It is the last alphabet
in the Hebrew alphabet. By putting the towl on their head it means that they are the remnant. You
remain, you are left.
Second it means (according to the early church history.) When the scribes write towl, you have to
have 3 strokes. A fast stroke is looks like an "X" but in the early church they wrote it like this,
especially in Chapter 9. If you turn it sideways it is a picture of the cross. (study)
Mar 243 What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a
mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of
redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord’s adopted sons
and daughters.
(*PO connects with Eph 1)
Ezek 9 & Rev 7 SAME – TM 445 ‘this sealing of the servants of God [Rev 7:1-4] is the same that
was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation."
Angel returns to Jesus – EW 279 "I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was
closing.. The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the
inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.. I saw angels hurrying to and fro in
heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to
Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. "
5 Men General Slaughter – 3T 266-267 "Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing
time.. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet’s illustration of the last work under the figure of the
men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand.. They will fall in the general destruction of the
wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons."
Church (unfaithful to feel wrath first) – 5T 211 "[Ezek 9:6 quoted] Here we see that the church--the
Lord’s sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom
God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had
betrayed their trust…These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance
of an offended God."
False watchmen first to fall – GC 656 "Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s
vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: ‘slay utterly old
and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the
mark; and begin at My sanctuary." Says the prophet: ‘they began at the ancient men which were
before the house." Ezekiel 9:1-6. The work of destruction begins among those who have
professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall."
Mark on forehead represent – 3T 267 "Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of
truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen,
are those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church."
That is why she says the sealing is a settling into the truth, but that truth must be worked in
by the Holy Spirit.
Mark represents – TM 446 ‘the bottles of God’s wrath cannot be poured out to destroy the wicked and
their works until all the people of God have been judged, and the cases of the living as well as the
dead are decided…The indelible mark of God is upon them. God can plead that His own name is
written there.
The true seal of the living God is not just the Sabbath. But without realizing the cross in our own
lives and have a true conversion experience you cannot keep the Sabbath holy. Then we will have
the faith of Jesus. We will not want to break the Sabbath even if we must die. Sabbath starts with the
cross.
4BC 1161 The angel with the writer’s ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are
separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel (Letter 12, 1886).
History: In early Christian church, they were going through severe persecutions. Because there
were so many spies in the church during 70 – 100 AD. What the Christian did was they had fish
mark inner part of their robe. When they walked on the streets they had an emblem of a fish. Either
on the inside of their robe, or on their hand. In the chest area that had a fish. In Greek it means
IXEUS. It means Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They walk around and see one smiling, how do they
know if they are a Christian? They both show the emblem and hug. So when a Christian walk in the
city, village, or market, he sees special smile and expression in some person’s face. Then he knows
that no one can have such a smile of peace without Christ in their heart. So he approaches to him
and opens up his garment and shows the mark. And if that person was Christian as well, he would
show his mark to him. Then they would hug with kiss of love with tears. When we see our brothers
and sisters in the prison cells together, we will be the same.
4BC 1161 Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is not any seal or mark
that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be
moved--just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it
has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may
know what is coming (MS 173, 1902).
It is a process. We are being sealed when we hear the truth in any setting. As we understand it we
have intellectual understanding, then we must experience it. We are being sealed. And when we
receive the latter rain Sealing has two aspects: When we die it is decided or those Living saints. So
we are being sealed now as we receive the truth. There are two different seals. The seal of
redemption that comes from the Holy Spirit. But the seal in Rev 7 and 14 is the Seal of God. Ezekiel
is speaking about the Seal of God, not the Seal of redemption. As you live the truth you are sealed, if
you fall, the seal is taken off, when you repent you are sealed again. But at the latter rain the sealing
is finished. The character is set. And if you die the case is decided. This seal also protects us
physically to go through the time of trouble. The 7 last plagues will not harm us. (Some believe that
during the plagues when the water is blood. Angels will bring water from heaven to us. We will
receive heavenly water when the rest of the world will receive blood, but we must have the
character.)
This concept is seen in the Passover as it applies to us. We must be sealed in order for the angel to
pass over us. So once again the Cross is the beginning of the Sabbath experience. You must confess
your sins on Jesus.
9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to
draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
Read over
9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every
man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's
inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
Notice that six men came from the higher gate. But one of the 6 was clothed with linen, and had a
writer’s inkhorn. That means that 5 men had slaughter weapons, and one a writer’s inkhorn.
Dual Picture: Now first of all we know that this first of all applies to what? The literal Jews in the
local land of Palestine. So first of all these men are pictured as human in form because they
represent the Babylonians who were to execute the divine sentence upon the city. In the second
application it represents the agencies of judgment, which at the time of the close of probation will
execute that sentence.
"brazen alter" – First it applies to those who were in the outer court worshipping idols. But
secondly, in relationship to the sanctuary, where are they? They are next to the brass alter, not the
golden. The golden is in the sanctuary. The brass is outside of the sanctuary. THIS IS A KEY POINT!!
So it is in the outer court (to keep it simple). When you look at the sanctuary service. You brought a
lamb to the brass alter to be sacrificed, who did that lamb represent? Jesus Christ. Where was Christ
sacrificed? On the earth. So when these 6 men; 5 with slaughtering weapons, one with an inkhorn, it
represents a work that is going to be done where? On the earth.
NOTE: YOU CAN SEE THAT THROUGH THE SANCTUARY OR WITH THE PRINCIPLE OF THE WORLD
WIDE SYMBOLIZED BY THE LOCAL. EITHER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT REPRESENTS A WORK TO BE
DONE IN THE LAST DAYS ON A WORLDWIDE SCALE.
Ok, so what is about to happen in chapter 9? The destruction of Jerusalem. Now this event was
described as something else in the early part of Ezekiel what was it? The day of trouble (ch 7:7). But
before the destruction of Jerusalem, or the day of trouble comes, something has to happen what is
that?
9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold
of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
This is Christ by the way…I’ll prove it later
9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set
a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the
midst thereof.
“Set a mark upon the forehead of the men” – In Hebrew word “mark” is not there. There is
certain character used in Hebrew that doesn’t have in any other languages. That’s why they just put
the word “mark” there. In Hebrew original, it says “put a (tau: last alphabet of Hebrew) on their
forehead.” Last alphabet, the mark was put on the forehead of the remnant. All people are shaken
by all these rebellions and apostasies, and these people are remained. It simply means they are the
last remnant people. They endured with faith till the end. But he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved. Matt 24:13. These people are shaken, but they endured until the end, and
remained. Tau was written in the shape of the cross. “Mark. Heb. taw, the last letter of the Hebrew
alphabet. In the time of Ezekiel this Hebrew character was written in the form of X.” SDABC.
Other mark they had was slanted cross. And they always understood it as fast script of the tau.
When they saw this letter, it meant you are remnant. You are enduring, you are faithful and royal.
Mar 243 Just before we entered it [the time of trouble], we all received the seal of the living God.
Then I saw the four angels cease to hold the four winds. And I saw famine, pestilence and sword,
nation rose against nation, and the whole world was in confusion. What is the seal of the living God,
which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can
read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the
sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters. The sin of the transgression of
the law of God is taken away. They have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and faithful to all
God’s commands.
The seal of the living God indeed is Sabbath. Yet, without realizing the true meaning of the cross.
Without the true genuine conversion experience, we cannot keep God’s Sabbath holy. In order to
keep His Sabbath holy, we have to be holy people. Then we will have faith like Christ that we will
not break Sabbath even though it means death to us. Sabbath starts with the cross.
Letter 12, 1886 The angel with the writer’s ink horn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who
are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel follows this angel
Sister White implies this marking experience as last day experience for spiritual Israel.
MS 173, 1902 Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads – it is not any seal or
mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot
be moved - just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed,
it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may
know what is coming
Sealing has two aspect:
For dead, when we die, our sealing experience is decided; It’s sealed.
For living saints, sealing experience is a process. We are being sealed when we hear the truth.
When we drop out, our sealing experience ceases. And when you repent, we will come back to
sealing process. But when we receive the latter rain, our character will be sealed and it can’t be
changed. Same thing as when we die, Satan can’t touch those who are dead. They are sealed.
In order for us to be sealed, we need to be separated from the world and sin. Without this, there is
no marking of tau. Without this, slaughtering angel can’t pass over us. In order for us to have
Pentecost, the Latter rain experience, we need to have this Passover experience. You have to put the
blood of Christ in the entrance of your heart! That’s why in sister White’s concept, the Sabbath is
seal of God, yet the cross is the beginning of the Sabbath. Without all of our sins forgiven, how can
we enter to the true Sabbath experience; true rest? We can have true peace only when we have
forgiveness experience from God. Then, you are able to enter into God’s rest. When you practice this
experience every Sabbath, you practice overcoming, separation from the world and sin itself. That’s
why the Seventh-day Sabbath will be the seal of God.
What mark is this? Where was it placed? Upon their foreheads Note: When you look up the word
foreheads. It is only recorded 8 times in the whole Bible. And guess in what two books you will find
this word? Ezekiel and Revelation. This mark is the SEAL OF GOD!! You cross-reference this with
Rev 7:1-4. ‘sealed the servants of God in their foreheads"
Rev 7:1-4 is the parallel passage to Ezekiel 9.
It is the same thing. Side Note (if asked): Before the seal can get in your forehead it must first be
placed on your forehead. You put the two together. (Seal in wax analogy) The bible uses the phrase
placed upon your forehead interchangeably with in your forehead. Watch: Rev 13:16 speaking of
the mark of the beast ‘to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" The mark of the
beast is the counterfeit of the mark of God. Speaking of those who go victory over the beast Rev
20:4 "neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads,"
SEE QUOTE: TM 445
So before the destruction of Jerusalem or the day of trouble commences, what has to happen? A
mark must be placed in the foreheads, showing that the sealing takes place just before the day of
trouble begins. We are speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. but here we see that
Ezekiel employed Jerusalem in his day as a symbol of the world in the day of God’s wrath.
This is the same thing that Jesus did in Matthew 24. He used Jerusalem as a symbol of the
destruction of the world. BUT THERE IS MORE…
9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your
eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Who are the others? The other 5 men with slaughtering weapons.
9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man
upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were
before the house.
"begin at my sanctuary" – What does this slaughter represent for us? Now before we look at the
last day application, where did he say to begin? At this sanctuary. WATCH what happens
“then they began at the ancient men…before the house" – Who are these men? Chapter 8:11, 16
they were the leaders of God’s people, but they were false Shepherd’s, unfaithful leaders. They were
the first to feel the stroke of the slaughter weapons. Then they went to the rest of the city. And
remember the destruction of Jerusalem represents the destruction of the whole world.
So in the last days when God pours out His wrath on the whole world the unfaithful Shepherd’s and
the unfaithful people will be the first to feel God’s wrath. This vision in its last day application refers
to God’s sealing message: all who receive it and are sealed are protected from God’s wrath in the
seven last plagues; all who reject it receive the wrate of God, wherein there will be no mercy.
Summary: The slaughtering in Ezekiel 9 represents TWO THINGS: The slaughtering of those who
have been false to their profession of faith. The slaughtering of all that are unsaved. The Spirit of
Prophecy applies this vision to those two things. See Quotes: what the mark of writer’s inkhorn
represents, what the slaughter of 5 men represent, and that the man clothed in linen not Christ.
9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went
forth, and slew in the city.
9:8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried,
and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon
Jerusalem?
9:9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is
full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the
LORD seeth not.
9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way
upon their head.
9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter,
saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Shows that the Lord was Jesus, and the angel was not Jesus. He told Jesus He was done.
Chapter 10 – Glory of the LORD leaves the Temple
10:1 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there
appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
10:2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the
cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city.
And he went in in my sight.
10:3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled
the inner court.
10:4 Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and
the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
10:5 And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the
Almighty God when he speaketh.
10:6 And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire
from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
10:7 And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was
between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen:
who took it, and went out.
10:8 And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.
10:9 And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another
wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
10:10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a
wheel.
10:11 When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place
whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
10:12 And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full
of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
10:13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
10:14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the
face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
10:15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
10:16 And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their
wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
10:17 When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the
spirit of the living creature was in them.
10:18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the
cherubims.
10:19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they
went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the
LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
10:20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that
they were the cherubims.
“God” 430 el-o-heem” = (plural) Two or more. This proves that in chapter 1:28 The
Father and the Son was there along with the Holy Spirit.
10:21 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man
was under their wings.
10:22 And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their
appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Chapter 11 – Judgment on Wicked Counselers | Promise of Restoration
11:1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which
looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah
the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
11:2 Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel
in this city:
11:3 Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
11:4 Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
11:5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye
said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.
11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.
11:7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the
flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it.
11:8 Ye have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword upon you, saith the Lord GOD.
11:9 And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will
execute judgments among you.
11:10 Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the
LORD.
11:11 This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will
judge you in the border of Israel:
11:12 And ye shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my
judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.
11:13 And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down
upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the
remnant of Israel?
11:14 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
11:15 Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel
wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is
this land given in possession.
11:16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and
although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the
countries where they shall come.
11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you
out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
11:18 And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the
abominations thereof from thence.
11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony
heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my
people, and I will be their God.
11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their
abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
11:22 Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside them; and the glory of the God of
Israel was over them above.
11:23 And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which
is on the east side of the city.
11:24 Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to
them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.
11:25 Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shewed me.
Chapter 12 – Judah’s Captivity Symbolized
Chapter 12 is a prophecy depicting how Zedekiah and those who were still in Jerusalem would go
into captivity.
12:1 The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not;
they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
12:3 Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and
thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though
they be a rebellious house.
12:4 Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go
forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
Verses 4 to 16 is an acted parable performed by Ezekiel. By this act God was trying to make an
impression on the minds of the people so they would repent, but it didn’t happen. And the same
things that Ezekiel did was fulfilled in 587 B.C. It is shown in 2 Kings 25:4-17 & Jeremiah 39:4-7.
This prophecy was given in 593 B.C. 6 years before the event.
12:5 Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
12:6 In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt
cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
12:7 And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the
even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my
shoulder in their sight.
12:8 And in the morning came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
12:9 Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou?
12:10 Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and
all the house of Israel that are among them.
12:11 Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go
into captivity.
12:12 And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth:
they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground
with his eyes.
12:13 My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to
Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
12:14 And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I
will draw out the sword after them.
12:15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and
disperse them in the countries.
12:16 But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that
they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know
that I am the LORD.
12:17 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
12:18 Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;
12:19 And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and
of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with
astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them
that dwell therein.
12:20 And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall
12:22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged,
and every vision faileth?
In verses 22 to 28 God addresses a proverb that was going through the land. They were saying that
all the visions had failed. The days kept going on and on, but nothing happened. So God said "but the
word which I have spoken shall be done." In reference to Him bringing judgments, to the carrying
away captive of the king and the other leaders. And it carries down.
12:23 Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no
more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
12:24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.
12:25 For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no
more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the
Lord GOD.
12:26 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
12:27 Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to
come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
12:28 Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any
more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 13 – False Prophets Condemned
False prophets to feel wrath – EW 123-124 "I have been shown that the false shepherds were
drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink…I saw that these prophets
were like the foxes of the desert. They have not gone up into the gaps, they have not made up the
hedge that the people of God may stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. When the minds of any
get stirred up, and they begin to inquire of these false shepherds about the truth, they take the easiest
and best manner to effect their object and quiet the minds of the inquiring ones, even changing their
own position to do it…I saw that many of these shepherds had denied the past teachings of God;
they had denied and rejected the glorious truths which they once zealously advocated and had
covered themselves with mesmerism and all kinds of delusions. I saw that they were drunken
with error and were leading on their flock to death…I saw that the priests who are leading on
their flock to death are soon to be arrested in their dreadful career. The plagues of God are coming,
but it will not be sufficient for the false shepherds to be tormented with one or two of these plagues.
God’s hand at that time will be stretched out still in wrath and justice and will not be brought to
Himself again until His purposes are fully accomplished, and the hireling priests are led to worship at
the feet of the saints,
13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that
prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen
nothing!
“own spirit” – If they were following their own spirit, what does it tell you about these prophets in
relationship to what we have learned about the Holy Spirit this far? They were not being lead by the
Holy Spirit. Therefore they were being led by another spirit, an evil spirit.
13:4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the
battle in the day of the LORD.
In order for Israel to stand in the battle of the Lord’s day. Two things must be done, the breech
[margin] must be closed, and the hedge must be made up. A hedge is a fence or a wall. So there is a
breech in the wall.
"hedge"
Isa 5:2 ...fenced it…
Isa 5:5 …take away hedge…
This hedge is talking about a fence or a wall of protection. See EW 123-124 False Prophets. Then he
goes on to explain why they have not gone into the gaps.
13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent
them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD
saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold,
I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in
the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither
shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
"written in the writing of the house of Israel" – Dual meaning: First it applies to those who
would come back to Jerusalem after the captivity. The faithful remnant who returned. They would
have no part with them. See
Ezra 2:62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were
not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
Second this means they will not be written in the book of life. Why? Verse 10
13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and
one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
Preaching a peace and safety message. You can live in sin, every vision faileth, making up lies in
reference to what they know to be truth.
“built up a wall” – This phrase shows that V.5 "hedge" is speaking of a wall. But it is a contrast
between what type of wall should have been built versus the one that was built.
"untempered mortar" – Untempered means "unsavory", "foolish", "whitewash." The illustration is

this. Someone built up a flimsy wall, and the false prophets whitewashed it, improving its
appearance, but adding nothing to the walls strength. Hence you have the prophets saying don’t
worry about anything, we are going to trust in Egypt, a false security false protection, leading the
people away. So it ends with God saying He will destroy the wall.
13:11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an
overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
13:12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have
daubed it?
13:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there
shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
13:14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to
the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed
in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
13:15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with
untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
"wrath upon the wall"
13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of
peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
13:17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of
their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
13:18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make
kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye
save the souls alive that come unto you?
13:19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the
souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that
hear your lies?
13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt
the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls
that ye hunt to make them fly.
13:21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more
in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
13:22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and
strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him
life:
This verse leads you into the next chapter.
“not return from his wicked way...promising life" – This shows the purpose of the straight
testimony to help people return or repent from their wicked ways so they can have life.
13:23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of
your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 14 – Jerusalem not Spared
14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
In verse 1 to 8 the LORD is emphasizing how He responds to those who have iniquity in their
hearts. He sets His face against them, and He will make them a sign by cutting them off. Making
them an example to all who have iniquity in their hearts.
This is also a description of Christendom during the time that the second angel’s message was first
given. It will apply again with it is repeated with greater power as it swells to a loud cry
4SP 237 since the rejection of the first message, a sad change has taken place in the churches. As
truth is spurned, error is received and cherished. Love for God, and faith in his word, have grown
cold. The churches have grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and it has been in a great measure withdrawn.
The words of the prophet Ezekiel are fearfully applicable: ‘son of man, these men have set up their
idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face. Should I be
inquired of at all by them?" "I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his
idols." [EZE. 14:3, 4.]
14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their
iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of
Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face,
and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his
idols;
14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me
through their idols.
14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from
your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
"Repent and turn" – This is God’s desire for His people to repent. This verse also shows again that
idols are abominations.
14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth
himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity
before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by
myself:
14:8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him
off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
14:9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet,
and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
14:10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even
as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;
Now he shows that the punishment will be given to the prophet and the one who seeks after the
prophet. From this point forward He is going to explain in detail how He deals with iniquity and
individual cases.
14:11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all
their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
14:12 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,
14:13 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out
mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will
cut off man and beast from it:
"land sinneth against me"
14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls
by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.
"Noah, Daniel, Job" – What do these three men have in common? The all lived during a time when
almost everyone in the land was in apostasy. Nearly all the inhabitants of the land were wicked, and
living in sin.
"own souls…by their righteousness" – Notice it is their own righteousness, how do we attain
righteousness? How could these people attain it? V.6 "Repent and turn" This shows that conditions
must be met for one to obtain righteousness.
What about Jesus? Can we receive righteousness by Him automatically? NO! Provision is made for
everyone to receive righteousness through Him, but we don’t automatically have it. This totally
abolishes forensic justification. That everyone can be made righteous because of one man. Think
about this. Was everyone during Christ day made righteous because of Christ? No.
14:15 If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no
man may pass through because of the beasts:
14:16 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor
daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.
14:17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and
beast from it:
14:18 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor
daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
"deliver neither son or daughter"
14:19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man
and beast:
14:20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither
son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
14:21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon
Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man
and beast?
14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters:
behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be
comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have
brought upon it.
"left a remnant" – Who are they? The righteous, those who have obtained their own righteousness.
14:23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have
not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 15 – Jerusalem, a Useless Vine
15:2 Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of
the forest?
15:3 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
“Shall wood be taken” – Wicked represent wood, fuel for the fire. Same as
Jer 5:14 …people wood…
Isa 9:19 …fuel for the fire…
Another example that shows that many times God uses wood to symbolize the wicked who will be
like fuel for the fire, and when there is no wood, the fire goes out.
Prov 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife
ceaseth.
15:4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is
burned. Is it meet for any work?
15:5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work,
when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?
15:6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given
to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15:7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour
them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
15:8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 16 – Israel played the Harlot
16:2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
"Jerusalem" – It is important to remember that we are speaking Jerusalem in this chapter.
16:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of
Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite.
“birth” margin cutting out or habitation. So the habitation where Jerusalem dwelled is in the land of
Canaan, this is the native land of Jerusalem
"father...Amorite...mother Hittite" – I thought they came from Abraham and Jacob, why is this
mentioned. God is reminding them of where they came from and how He established them in their
land. He is taking them back in their history, not to the wilderness after Egypt, but after they
crossed the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua. And at this time the Amorites and Hittites
occupied the land of Canaan.
Josh 1:2-4 …land of the Hittites…
Josh 3:10 …drive out...Hittites…Amorites…
Verses 3-13 really take you from the crossing of the Jordan, to God re-establishing the covenant
with His people, and the setting up of the sanctuary in Shiloh.
Josh 18:1 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set
up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
Josh 19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the
heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh
before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing
the country.
The sanctuary was setup in Shiloh and it remained there until the time of Samuel when the
Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant.
16:4 And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed
in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
16:5 None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast
out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.
Imagery describing their acceptance in the land, every one hated them. They didn’t want to take
them in and swaddle them. They wanted them to die.
16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou
wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
Can you see the analogy? God saw you when you were living in sin, when no one else cared about
you. You were destined to die, but I looked on you and I SAID LIVE!!
16:7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and
thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou
wast naked and bare.
This is describing how they multiplied in the land. Their beats were shaped, they hair grew, before
they were naked. This is showing how they matured, they were growing as a people.
16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I
spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a
covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
“entered into a covenant…becamest mine”
Josh 5:2-7 [2] ¶ At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise
again the children of Israel the second time. [3] And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised
the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. [4] And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise:
All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness
by the way, after they came out of Egypt. [5] Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but
all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they
had not circumcised. [6] For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the
people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the
voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the
LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. [7]
And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were
uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
God said circumcise them again because they had been in the wilderness. By them exercising the
rite of the circumcision, it showed that the covenant was restored to God’s people. It had been
suspended after the rebellion at Kadesh. (See PP 486).
Josh 5:10-12 [10] ¶ And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the
fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. [11] And they did eat of the old corn of
the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
[12] ¶ And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither
had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that
year.
They kept the Passover and the manna ceased. Side note: Joshua 5:15 Joshua told to take his shoes
off because the place where he stood was holy. That land wasn’t holy before, so what made it holy?
The Lord’s presence. Showing that where God is and what is connected to God is holy.
16:9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed
thee with oil.
16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about
with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
“Broidered work” – Heb = Various colors
“Badgers’ skin”
Ex 25:2, 3, 5 [2] Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that
giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. [3] And this is the offering which ye shall
take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, [5] And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim
wood,
Ex 35:7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,
Badgers’ skin was an offering for the sanctuary
Ex 26:13, 14 [13] And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth
in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and
on that side, to cover it. [14] And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and
a covering above of badgers' skins.
Ex 36:19 And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers'
skins above that.
Tent covering for sanctuary made out of badgers’ skin.
Num 4:6-14 [6] And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth
wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof. [7] And upon the table of shewbread they shall
spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover
withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: [8] And they shall spread upon them a cloth of
scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof. [9]
And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs,
and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: [10] And they
shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
[11] And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of
badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof: [12] And they shall take all the instruments of
ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them
with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar: [13] And they shall take away the
ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: [14] And they shall put upon it all the
vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels,
and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins,
and put to the staves of it.
Used to cover the ark of the testimony, table of shewbread, candlesticks, altar of incense,
instruments of ministry, all the vessels.
“fine linen”
Gen 41:41, 42 [41] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. [42]
And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in
vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Placed on Joseph to show he was over all the land.
Ex 25:4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
Offering brought to sanctuary.
16:11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine
head.
“bracelets” … “rings” … “earrings” … “chains”
Ex 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought
bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered
an offering of gold unto the LORD.
All where offerings brought to build the sanctuary.
Num 31:50 We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of
jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls
before the LORD.
Chains were offerings.
16:13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and
broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and
thou didst prosper into a kingdom.
“gold silver”
Ex 35:4-6 [4] ¶ And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the
thing which the LORD commanded, saying, [5] Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD:
whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
[6] And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
Offering to make the sanctuary.
“fine flour” – Used for meat offerings, and various offerings.
Lev 2:1, 4-7 [1] And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine
flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: [4] ¶ And if thou bring an oblation
of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or
unleavened wafers anointed with oil. [5] ¶ And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it
shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil. [6] Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil
thereon: it is a meat offering. [7] ¶ And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in the fryingpan, it
shall be made of fine flour with oil.
Lev 5:11 But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned
shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil
upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.
Lev 6:20 This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day
when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in
the morning, and half thereof at night.
Num 7, 8
16:14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my
comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.
“thy beauty" – As a result of them having the sanctuary in there midst God says they were
beautiful, and their renown or their fame spread abroad through the heathen land. And God’s
presence was in His sanctuary that is why they were the most beautiful of all the lands. And this
was because of
"it [was] perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee" – This word comeliness
means splendor, majesty, honor, and ornament. He placed His majesty, His honor, His splendor on
them through the ornament of His sanctuary. There beauty was perfect because God placed HIS
COMELINESS ON HER. He gave them the sanctuary. He clothed them.
Application: God likens His church to a comely and delicate woman. You know what makes His
church comely? THE SANCTUARY MESSAGE. This also shows which church is the true church. God’s
true church will have the sanctuary message.
16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and
pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.
16:16 And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and
playedst the harlot thereupon: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.
16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and
madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them,
Verses 17 to 19 show that they took things that belonged to the sanctuary and used it in the
worship of heathen gods.
16:18 And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine
incense before them.
16:19 My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even
set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD.
16:20 Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these
hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,
16:21 That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for
them?
16:22 And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy
youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.
16:23 And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)
16:24 That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every
street.
16:25 Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred,
and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.
16:26 Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast
increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
16:27 Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary
food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are
ashamed of thy lewd way.
God sent famine upon them and gave them into the hands of the philistines that were ashamed of
them, because they commit fornication (verse 26).
16:28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast
played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
16:29 Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou
wast not satisfied herewith.
16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an
imperious whorish woman;
16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in
every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
16:32 But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!
Here he makes it clear that what she was doing was worse than a harlot. She was acting like a wife
who commits adulteries.
16:33 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they
may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.
16:34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to
commit whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee, therefore thou
art contrary.
A harlot says you give me gifts and money you can hire me. BUT NOT HER. She would go out and
say I’ll GIVE YOU GIFTS TO COME UNTO ME!! You act contrary to a regular whore. You are worse.
16:35 Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered
through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of
thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
16:37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them
that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against
thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.
16:38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee
blood in fury and jealousy.
16:39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall
break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and
leave thee naked and bare.
This verse shows that the sanctuary will be destroyed. 587 B.C.
16:40 They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust
thee through with their swords.
16:41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many
women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
16:42 So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be
quiet, and will be no more angry.
16:43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things;
behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not
commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.
16:44 Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother,
so is her daughter.
16:45 Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister
of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your
father an Amorite.
Who is there mother? An Hittite
Verses 45-55 uses the analogy of sisters to describe their abominations and how they exceeded the
surrounding nations in sins. This is important for chapter 23. It ends by saying God will establish
his covenant with them. Of course this is based upon condition (verses 60-63).
16:46 And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy
younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters.
16:47 Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a
very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
16:48 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast
done, thou and thy daughters.
16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of
idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
16:50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I
saw good.
16:51 Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations
more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.
16:52 Thou also, which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shame for thy sins that thou hast
committed more abominable than they: they are more righteous than thou: yea, be thou confounded
also, and bear thy shame, in that thou hast justified thy sisters.
16:53 When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the
captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst
of them:
16:54 That thou mayest bear thine own shame, and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done, in
that thou art a comfort unto them.
16:55 When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and
her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your
former estate.
16:56 For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride,
16:57 Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and
all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.
16:58 Thou hast borne thy lewdness and thine abominations, saith the LORD.
16:59 For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the
oath in breaking the covenant.
16:60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish
unto thee an everlasting covenant.
16:61 Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine
elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.
16:62 And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
16:63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of
thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 17 – Parables of the Eagles and the Vine
This chapter describes two great eagles. The first one is? And the second one is?
17:2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
17:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers,
which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
17:4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of
merchants.
17:5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters,
and set it as a willow tree.
17:6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and
the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
17:7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did
bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the
furrows of her plantation.
17:8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might
bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
17:9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut
off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great
power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
17:10 Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind
toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.
17:12 Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king
of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them
with him to Babylon;
17:13 And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him:
he hath also taken the mighty of the land:
17:14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant
it might stand.
17:15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him
horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the
covenant, and be delivered?
17:16 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king,
whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall
die.
17:17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by
casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
Makes it clear what he is talking about. It goes on to talk about how Zedekiah rebelled by sending
ambassadors to Egypt.
17:18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath
done all these things, he shall not escape.
17:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my
covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
17:20 And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to
Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
17:21 And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be
scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken it.
17:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I
will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and
eminent:
This represent the remnant who were to return from Babylonian captivity back to the land of
promise. Notice that it says he will plant it "meaning the remnant" upon an high mountain…in the
"mountain of Israel."
PK 599 Many of these were to be numbered among the remnant that should return. They were
likened by Inspiration to ‘the highest branch of the high cedar," which was to be planted "upon an
high mountain and eminent: in the mountain of the height of Israel." Ezekiel 17:22, 23.
17:23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear
fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the
branches thereof shall they dwell.
17:24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have
exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD
have spoken and have done it.
Chapter 18 – The Soul is the LORD’s
In this chapter there was a proverb going around. It had been going on since the time of Jeremiah
(31:29, 30), and now God was going to address it.
18:1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten
sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
Now God is going to respond based upon the meaning of this proverb. What does it mean?
"Fathers…sour grapes" …"children’s teeth..set on edge" – this shows that as a result of what the
fathers had eaten it resulted with their children having sharp teeth. This is what it means the sour
grapes that the father ate represented their own personal sins. The seeting of the children’s teeth
on edge represented the suffering the Jews felt came upon them because of their father’s sin.
They were saying it is unfair that you punish us for our father’s sins. So why were they being
punished? We are only punished for the sins of our parents when we commit the same sins that our
parents have committed. God deals with the root of the matter. This is seen in Jer 31:29,30 "every
one that commits his own sin will be punished." Jer 32:18 shows that if you commit the same sin of
your father God will reward you according to that same sin.
And the rest of the chapter adds details that Chapter 14 left out. That chapter made it clear that
when God sends judgments the righteous save their own souls, no one else. Here Ezekiel explains
how. Verses 5 to 9 show they will live, not just temporally, but eternally. Verses 10 to 13 show what
happens if the just man has a son and he sins. He will die. That is why the righteous cannot deliver
neither son or daughter. It adds the details.
18:3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that
sinneth, it shall die.
18:5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
18:6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of
Israel,
neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by
violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
18:8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his
hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
18:9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely
live, saith the Lord GOD.
18:10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these
things,
18:11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his
neighbour's wife,
18:12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and
hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
18:13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath
done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
18:14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and
doeth not such like,
18:15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of
Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
18:16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but
hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
18:17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath
executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he
shall surely live.
18:18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which
is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
18:19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that
which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the
father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the
wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and
do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
18:22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his
righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should
return from his ways, and live?
18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth
according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he
hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath
sinned, in them shall he die.
18:25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are
not your ways unequal?
18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth
in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
18:27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and
doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
18:28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he
shall surely live, he shall not die.
18:29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways
equal? are not your ways unequal?
18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD.
Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new
heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn
yourselves, and live ye.
Chapter 19 – Lamentation for the Princes of Israel
19:1 Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
19:2 And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among
young lions.
19:3 And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it
devoured men.
19:4 The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the
land of Egypt.
19:5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps,
and made him a young lion.
19:6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey,
and devoured men.
19:7 And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and
the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.
19:8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him:
he was taken in their pit.
19:9 And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into
holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.
19:10 Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches
by reason of many waters.
19:11 And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted
among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.
19:12 But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her
fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.
19:13 And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
19:14 And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no
strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.
Chapter 20 – Judgment for abominations
This brings us to the third division. The overall theme for the next four chapters 20-23 is why God
will judge His people. He asks a question will I judge for these things? Yes, and then he declares
unto them their abominations. God is saying I will judge you and it is for abomination. And the two
main abominations that He will judge for is 1.) Defiling His Sanctuary and 2.) Polluting the Sabbath.
And these two things are defiled by idolatry. So I know when God’s sanctuary is defiled and His
Sabbath polluted, judgment is coming!
Notice the repetition
Ezek 20:4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge [them]? cause them to know the
abominations of their fathers:
Ezek 22:2 Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt
show her all her abominations.
Ezek 23:36 the LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah?
yea, declare unto them their abominations
Abominations
Ezek 20:13 …my sabbaths they greatly polluted:
Ezek 20:21 …they polluted my sabbaths…
Ezek 22:8 …thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths…
Ezek 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no
difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed [difference] between the unclean
and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Ezek 23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day,
and have profaned my sabbaths.
Theme: Judgment for abominations (defiling the Sanctuary and profaning the Sabbath)
20:1 And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain
of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
20:2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
20:3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye
come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
20:4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of
their fathers:
20:5 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand
unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted
up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
20:6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land
that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
20:7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not
yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away
the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my
fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
20:9 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom
they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of
Egypt.
20:10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the
wilderness.
20:11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live
in them.
20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know
that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
20:13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and
they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly
polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
20:14 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight
I brought them out.
20:15 Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land
which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
20:16 Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths:
for their heart went after their idols.
20:17 Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in
the wilderness.
20:18 But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither
observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
20:19 I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20:20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am
the LORD your God.
20:21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my
judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I
said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
20:22 Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be
polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
20:23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the
heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
20:24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my
sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
20:25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not
live;
20:26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth
the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
20:27 Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
20:28 For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them,
then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there
they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured
out there their drink offerings.
20:29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called
Bamah unto this day.
20:30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner
of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
20:31 For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute
yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I
live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
20:32 And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as
the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
20:33 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with
fury poured out, will I rule over you:
20:34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are
scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
20:35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
20:36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you,
saith the Lord GOD.
20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
20:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring
them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye
shall know that I am the LORD.
20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and
hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and
with your idols.
20:40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall
all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require
your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
20:41 I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out
of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
20:42 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the
country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye
shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not
according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord
GOD.
20:46 Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy
against the forest of the south field;
20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I
will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming
flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
20:48 And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
Chapter 21 – The LORD has Drawn His Sword
21:2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy
against the land of Israel,
21:3 And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my
sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.
21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go
forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
21:5 That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not
return any more.
21:6 Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their
eyes.
21:7 And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the
tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit
shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith
the Lord GOD.
21:9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also
furbished:
21:10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make
mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
21:11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is
furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
21:12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel:
terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
21:13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the
Lord GOD.
21:14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be
doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which
entereth into their privy chambers.
21:15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins
be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
21:16 Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.
21:17 I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
21:18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
21:19 Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come:
both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to
the city.
21:20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem
the defenced.
21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use
divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
21:22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the
slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a
mount, and to build a fort.
21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he
will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
21:24 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that
your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye
are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
21:25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
21:26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same:
exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
21:27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I
will give it him.
21:28 And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and
concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is
furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
21:29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of
them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
21:30 Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in
the land of thy nativity.
21:31 And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath,
and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.
21:32 Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more
remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.
Chapter 22 – Israel’s shedding of Blood
22:2 Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all
her abominations.
22:3 Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time
may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.
22:4 Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols
which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years:
therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
22:5 Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much
vexed.
22:6 Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.
22:7 In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression
with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
22:8 Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
22:9 In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the
midst of thee they commit lewdness.
22:10 In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set
apart for pollution.
22:11 And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled
his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
22:12 In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast
greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
22:13 Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at
thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
22:14 Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the
LORD have spoken it, and will do it.
22:15 And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume
thy filthiness out of thee.
22:16 And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know
that I am the LORD.
22:18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and
lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.
22:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather
you into the midst of Jerusalem.
22:20 As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow
the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there,
and melt you.
22:21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the
midst thereof.
22:22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye
shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
22:24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of
indignation.
22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey;
they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many
widows in the midst thereof.
22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference
between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean,
and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
22:27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy
souls, to get dishonest gain.
22:28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies
unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.
22:29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and
needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before
me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
22:31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of
my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 23 – Oholah and Oholibah
This chapter is similar to chapter 16 in the latter part, so I will not cover it, but it is being
emphasized and repeated for a reason.
23:1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
23:2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
23:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were
their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.
23:4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and
they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
23:5 And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her
neighbours,
23:6 Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen
riding upon horses.
23:7 Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria,
and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.
23:8 Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they
bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.
23:9 Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon
whom she doted.
23:10 These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the
sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.
23:11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and
in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.
23:12 She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously,
horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.
23:13 Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,
23:14 And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the
images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,
23:15 Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes
to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:
23:16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them
into Chaldea.
23:17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom,
and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.
23:18 So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated
from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister.
23:19 Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she
had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.
23:20 For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the
issue of horses.
23:21 Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the
Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.
23:22 Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee,
from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;
23:23 The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with
them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding
upon horses.
23:24 And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of
people, which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment
before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.
23:25 And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take
away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy
daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.
23:26 They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels.
23:27 Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of
Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.
23:28 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest,
into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:
23:29 And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee
naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy
whoredoms.
23:30 I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because
thou art polluted with their idols.
23:31 Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.
23:32 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed
to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.
23:33 Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation,
with the cup of thy sister Samaria.
23:34 Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off
thine own breasts: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
23:35 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back,
therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
23:36 The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare
unto them their abominations;
23:37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they
committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through
the fire, to devour them.
23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have
profaned my sabbaths.
23:39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my
sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
23:40 And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent;
and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with
ornaments,
23:41 And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine
incense and mine oil.
23:42 And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were
brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon
their heads.
23:43 Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and
she with them?
23:44 Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto
Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
23:45 And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the
manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.
23:46 For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be
removed and spoiled.
23:47 And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall
slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.
23:48 Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after
your lewdness.
23:49 And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye
shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Chapter 24 – The Seige of Jerusalem
This brings us to the fourth division. God says I will bring judgment because or your abominations.
Those abominations were polluting the Sabbath and defiling the Sanctuary. Chapter 24 shows God
executing judgment through Babylon by destroying the Sanctuary. The point is this, when you
commit abomination, desolation or destruction is coming, and the destruction of Jerusalem is a
symbol of the destruction of the whole world. What will cause God to destroy this world?
Abomination, polluting His Sabbath and defiling His
sanctuary.
24:1 Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD
came unto me, saying,
24:2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself
against Jerusalem this same day.
We are at 589 B.C.
24:3 And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a
pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:
“parable” – Parable = A simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson. (AHD)
24:4 Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the
choice bones.
24:5 Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them
seethe the bones of it therein.
24:6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and
whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
24:7 For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the
ground, to cover it with dust;
24:8 That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock,
that it should not be covered.
24:9 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great.
24:10 Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
24:11 Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that
the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
24:12 She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be
in the fire.
24:13 In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not
be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
24:14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I
spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee,
saith the Lord GOD.
24:15 Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Verses 15 to 18 speak about Ezekiel’s wife dieing.
24:16 Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt
thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
24:17 Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on
thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.
24:18 So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I
was commanded.
24:19 And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
24:20 Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24:21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the
excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and
your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
24:22 And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
24:23 And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor
weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.
Key verse
24:24 Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this
cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Key verse
24:25 Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of
their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their
daughters,
24:26 That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?
24:27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no
more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 25 – Judgments pronounced on Ammon, Edom, Moab, Seir and
the Philistines
Chapter 25 shows God punishing Ammon, Moab, Edom for laughing at the sanctuary being
destroyed. The Philistines are punished because they took revenge on God’s people with a
despiteful heart. Again you have judgment being pronounced on Ammon, Edom, and Moab, but this
time because of how they respond to God’s sanctuary being destroyed.
Chapters 25 to 27 deal with Zedekiah and because of his wickedness he will no longer reign, and no
one would sit on the throne of David again until Christ comes. This is fully established after the
millennium.
Chapters 25 to 32 are prophecies against the heathen nations. They show beyond a shadow of a
doubt that Babylon is a desolating power. And the reason God sends it to desolate is because of
Abomination. See Ez 33:28-29
25:2 Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
25:3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because
thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it
was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
25:4 Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their
palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
25:5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye
shall know that I am the LORD.
25:6 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and
rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
25:7 Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the
heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will
destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
25:8 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto
all the heathen;
25:9 Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his
frontiers, the glory of the country, Bethjeshimoth, Baalmeon, and Kiriathaim,
25:10 Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the
Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
25:11 And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
25:12 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking
vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
25:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off
man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
25:14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom
according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord
GOD.
25:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance
with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
25:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I
will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
25:17 And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am
the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Chapter 26 – Prophecy against Tyrus
Chapters 26-28 are all prophecies against Tyrus. That means of all the prophecies that depict
coming judgments God wants us to focus on Tyrus. These chapters also show how God governs the
affairs of men. When you look at the language that is employed in chapters 26-28 you will find out
that this imagery is lifted from its local setting in reference to Tyre and applied spiritually and
world wide in the book of Revelation. You will see that in Rev 18 John uses this imagery to describe
the Papacy as a wealthy city. They were made wealthy because of their merchants, and now they
are going to turn on her, and God will destroy her. Chapter 28 is very significant for our days. I will
show you why.
Remember all books meet and end in Revelation (show quote)
26:1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD
26:2 Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates
of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:
This is why God is against her. This is what they said after the destruction of Jerusalem. Notice this
took place in the 11th year.
26:3 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations
to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.
God will cause many nations to come against it.
26:4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust
from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
26:5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the
Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
26:6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am
the LORD.
26:7 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a
king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and
much people.
In verses 7 to 14 we learn God uses Babylon to destroy the Israelites.
26:8 He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and
cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.
26:9 And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.
26:10 By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the
noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men
enter into a city wherein is made a breach.
26:11 With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the
sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.
26:12 And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall
break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and
thy dust in the midst of the water.
26:13 And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.
26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be
built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
26:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the
wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?
26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and
put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the
ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.
26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast
inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants,
which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
26:18 Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled
at thy departure.
26:19 For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not
inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;
26:20 When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and
shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit,
that thou be not
inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
26:21 I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou
never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 27 – A lamentation for Tyrus
27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
This is eulogy of Tyrus
27:3 And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the
people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
“I am of perfect beauty” – Sounds like Lucifer in chapter 28:12 “perfect in beauty.”
27:4 Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
“thy borders [are] in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty” – Midst
(margin) = Heart
27:5 They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to
make masts for thee.
27:6 Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy
benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.
27:7 Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue
and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
“Blue and purple” – (margin) purple and scarlet. Rev 17 Great City Babylon described with purple
and scarlet.
27:8 The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee,
were thy pilots.
27:9 The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with
their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
27:10 They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield
and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
27:11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in
thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
27:12 Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin,
and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels
of brass in thy market.
27:14 They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
27:15 The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they
brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
27:16 Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in
thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
27:17 Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of
Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
27:18 Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all
riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in
thy market.
These types of woods were used to make the sanctuary.
27:20 Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
27:21 Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in
these were they thy merchants.
27:22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with
chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
“with all precious stones” – Sounds like Satan 28:13 “every precious stone was thy covering”
27:23 Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
27:24 These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests
of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
27:25 The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very
glorious in the midst of the seas.
27:26 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of
the seas.
“the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas” – Another verse shows that winds
represent destruction.
27:27 Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the
occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in
the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
“in the day of thy ruin” – Just means a time to come. A time when your ruin will come. Does this
represent a year? No!
(ATJ Great Empires of the Bible Ch. 1) Accordingly, in the year 586, Nebuchadnezzar overran Syria,
invaded Phenicia, and laid siege to Tyre. It cost him, however, a thirteen-years” siege to capture the
city.
27:28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
27:29 And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their
ships, they shall stand upon the land;
Her supporters will come to nought. This also seen in
Rev 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the
company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
27:30 And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust
upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
Sounds like
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that
great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one
hour is she made desolate.
27:31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall
weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
Sounds like Rev 18
27:32 And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What
city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
“What city is like Tyrus”
Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this
great city!
Rev 18:8 says her plagues will come in one day. This is taken from Ezekiel her ruin will come in a
day. It just means a short space of time. It is not prophetic in the sense of being a day for a year.
Rev 18:17 …one hour…
Rev 18:19 …one hour…
27:33 When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings
of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth…
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth…
27:34 In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and
all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
27:35 All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they
shall be troubled in their countenance.
27:36 The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any
more.
Summary
The description of this city is very similar to Rev 21 they are both full of gold and precious stones.
Rev 21:9 New Jerusalem is called the Lamb’s wife. Well here we have a description of Satan’s wife.
The city of Tyrus. Revelation calls her the city of Babylon. This is Satan’s wife his harlot who
commits fornication.
Chapter 28 – Judgments on the Prince and King of Tyre
Movement Represented – 4BC 1162 I ask our people to study the twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel.
The representation here made, while it refers primarily to Lucifer, the fallen angel, has yet a broader
significance. Not one being, but a general movement, is described, and one that we shall witness. A
faithful study of this chapter should lead those who are seeking for truth to walk in all the light that
God has given to His people, lest they be deceived by the deceptions of these last days.
Fallen Men & Angles -- 6MR 77 Read the whole of the twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel carefully, and
pray that you may understand the working of God. We are dealing with fallen angels and with fallen
men.
Soon to be fulfilled – 4BC 1162 "[2 Thess. 2:7, 8; Eze. 28:2, 6-10 quoted.] The time is fast approaching
when this scripture will be fulfilled. The world and the professedly Protestant churches are in this
our day taking sides with the man of sin. . . . The great issue that is coming will be on the seventh-day
Sabbath (RH April 19, 1898).
This tells me that 2 Thess 2:7, 8 go along with Ezek 28:2, 6-10. Observation: And 2 Thess 2:3,4 which
is the mystery of iniquity in V.7. Paul is quotes Dan 11:37 in 2 Thess 2:3,4 to describe the King of the
North.
28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up,
and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and
not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
"prince of Tyrus" – Now is represented under this man. Because of the wealth, and wisdom of this
man, he fitly represents Satan. So Satan is described in this chapter.
28:3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
28:4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold
and silver into thy treasures:
28:5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up
because of thy riches:
28:6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
28:7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw
their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.
28:8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the
midst of the seas.
28:9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the
hand of him that slayeth thee.
28:10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith
the Lord GOD.
28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius,
topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the
carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day
that thou wast created.
28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy
mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
"anointed Cherub" – Chapter 1, 10, etc.
4BC 1139 Cherubim guards of the King - Cherubim were on either side of the mercy-seat, as
guards round the great king, and they glowed with the glory that enshrouded them from the
presence of God.
2BC 1030 Cherubim guardians of the law --A most splendid sanctuary had been made, according to
the pattern showed to Moses in the mount, and afterward presented by the Lord to David. In addition
to the cherubim on the top of the ark, Solomon made two other angels of larger size, standing at each
end of the ark, representing the heavenly angels guarding the law of God. It is impossible to describe
the beauty and splendor of this sanctuary. Into this place the sacred ark was borne with solemn
reverence by the priests, and set in its place beneath the wings of the two stately cherubim that stood
upon the floor.
The reason why Satan was so mad when God created man was because God decided to make man in
His exact image. Image meaning . This made Satan mad because when God created Lucifer He made
him as close to Himself as possible.
4BC 1163 Evil originated with Lucifer, who rebelled against the government of God. Before his fall he
was a covering cherub, distinguished by his excellence. God made him good and beautiful, as near as
possible like Himself (RH Sept. 24, 1901).
28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast
sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O
covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy
brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring
thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
28:19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and
never shalt thou be any more.
28:21 Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
28:22 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the
midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and
shall be sanctified in her.
28:23 For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in
the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
28:24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all
that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
28:25 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among
whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they
dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
28:26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall
dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about
them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.
Chapter 29 – Prophecy against Egypt
29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came
unto me, saying,
29:2 Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all
Egypt:
29:3 Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the
great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made
it for myself.
29:4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I
will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.
29:5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall
upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the
beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.
29:6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of
reed to the house of Israel.
29:7 When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when
they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.
29:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and
beast out of thee.
29:9 And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because
he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.
29:10 Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt
utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.
29:11 No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be
inhabited forty years.
29:12 And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her
cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians
among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
"Egypt desolate forty years"
29:13 Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people
whither they were scattered:
"end of forty years…gather the Egyptians" – Here is another prophecy and it is in reference to
Egypt. It is a literal prophecy that was fulfilled.
29:14 And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of
Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.
29:15 It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I
will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
29:16 And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to
remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
29:17 And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the
month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
29:18 Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against
Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for
Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
29:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king
of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the
wages for his army.
29:20 I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they
wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.
29:21 In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening
of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 30 – Lamentation for Egypt
30:2 Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Woe worth the day!
30:3 For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the
heathen.
30:4 And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall
in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
30:5 Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is
in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
30:6 Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come
down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.
30:7 And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in
the midst of the cities that are wasted.
30:8 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers
shall be destroyed.
30:9 In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and
great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.
30:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
30:11 He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and
they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.
30:12 And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the
land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.
30:13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of
Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
30:14 And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.
30:15 And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No.
30:16 And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall
have distresses daily.
30:17 The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into
captivity.
30:18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and
the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall
go into captivity.
30:19 Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
30:20 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that
the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
30:21 Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be
healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
30:22 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his
arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
30:23 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
30:24 And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will
break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
30:25 But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and
they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and
he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.
30:26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and
they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 31 – Pharoah to be Slain
31:1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the
word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
31:2 Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy
greatness?
31:3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and
of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
31:4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his
plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
31:5 Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied,
and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.
31:6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of
the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
31:7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
31:8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the
chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his
beauty.
31:9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the
garden of God, envied him.
31:10 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot
up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
31:11 I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal
with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.
31:12 And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains
and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and
all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.
31:13 Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of the heaven remain, and all the beasts of the field shall be upon
his branches:
31:14 To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot
up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for
they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men,
with them that go down to the pit.
31:15 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when he went down to the grave I caused a mourning: I
covered the deep for him, and I restrained the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: and I
caused Lebanon to mourn for him, and all the trees of the field fainted for him.
31:16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that
descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall
be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.
31:17 They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were
his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.
31:18 To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be
brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the
uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord
GOD.
Chapter 32 – Lamentation for the king of Egypt
32:1 And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the
word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
32:2 Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a
young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and
troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.
32:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many
people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
32:4 Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the
fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.
32:5 And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.
32:6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the
rivers shall be full of thee.
32:7 And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover
the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
32:8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the
Lord GOD.
32:9 I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into
the countries which thou hast not known.
32:10 Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee,
when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his
own life, in the day of thy fall.
32:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.
32:12 By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of
them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
32:13 I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man
trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.
32:14 Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD.
32:15 When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it
was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am the LORD.
32:16 This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall
lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
32:17 It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD
32:18 Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of
the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
32:19 Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.
32:20 They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw
her and all her multitudes.
32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him:
they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
32:22 Asshur is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the
sword:
32:23 Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them
slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living.
32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword,
which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the
land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.
32:25 They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves are round
about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of
the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of
them that be slain.
32:26 There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them
uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.
32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to
hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities
shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
32:28 Yea, thou shalt be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, and shalt lie with them that are slain
with the sword.
32:29 There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were
slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit.
32:30 There be the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the
slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with them that be
slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.
32:31 Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his
army slain by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.
32:32 For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the
uncircumcised with them that are slain with the sword, even Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the
Lord GOD.
Chapter 33 – Ezekiel a Watchmen to warn Israel of Judgments
33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a
land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
33:3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and
take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that
taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned;
if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood
will I require at the watchman's hand.
33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt
hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
33:8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the
wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he
shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
33:10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our
transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that
the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house
of Israel?
33:12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous
shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall
thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his
righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and
commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath
committed, he shall die for it.
33:14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which
is lawful and right;
33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without
committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
33:16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is
lawful and right; he shall surely live.
33:17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is
not equal.
33:18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die
thereby.
33:19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live
thereby.
33:20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his
ways.
33:21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the
month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
33:22 Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had
opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more
dumb.
33:23 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
33:24 Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one,
and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.
33:25 Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes
toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?
33:26 Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and
shall ye possess the land?
33:27 Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall
fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that
be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.
33:28 For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains
of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.
33:29 Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all
their abominations which they have committed.
33:30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in
the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and
hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they
hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart
goeth after their covetousness.
33:32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play
well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
33:33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been
among them.
Chapter 34 – Prophecy against Shepherds of Israel | Covenant of Peace
34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the
Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the
shepherds feed the flocks?
34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
34:4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye
bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
34:5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of
the field, when they were scattered.
34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was
scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
34:7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to
every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock,
but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
34:9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their
hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any
more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will
I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy
and dark day.
34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring
them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the
inhabited places of the country.
34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there
shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that
which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I
will feed them with judgment.
34:17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle,
between the rams and the he goats.
34:18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with
your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the
residue with your feet?
34:19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which
ye have fouled with your feet.
34:20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle
and between the lean cattle.
34:21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns,
till ye have scattered them abroad;
34:22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle
and cattle.
34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall
feed them,
and he shall be their shepherd.
34:24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have
spoken it.
34:25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the
land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
34:26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to
come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
34:27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall
be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and
delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
34:28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them;
but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
34:29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in
the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
34:30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of
Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.
34:31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 35 – Prophecy against Mount Seir
35:2 Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
35:3 And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch
out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.
35:4 I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
35:5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the
force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:
35:6 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee:
sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
35:7 Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that
returneth.
35:8 And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers,
shall they fall that are slain with the sword.
35:9 I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am
the LORD.
35:10 Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will
possess it; whereas the LORD was there:
35:11 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to
thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among
them, when I have judged thee.
35:12 And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou
hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to
consume.
35:13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I
have heard them.
35:14 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate.
35:15 As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do
unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I
am the LORD.
Chapter 36 – Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel | Promise of New Heart
Spirit transforms character – DA 407 "Every time a soul is converted, and learns to love God and keep
His commandments, the promise of God is fulfilled, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit
will I put within you." Ezek. 36:26. The change in human hearts, the transformation of human
characters, is a miracle that reveals an ever-living Saviour, working to rescue souls. A consistent life
in Christ is a great miracle. In the preaching of the word of God, the sign that should be manifest
now and always is the presence of the Holy Spirit, to make the word a regenerating power to
those that hear.
Holy Spirit works through word – DA 671 ‘through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind,
and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the
Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself.
36:1 Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear
the word of the LORD:
36:2 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high
places are ours in possession:
36:3 Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and
swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye
are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people:
36:4 Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the
mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that
are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;
36:5 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the
residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with
the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.
36:6 Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to
the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my
fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:
36:7 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about
you, they shall bear their shame.
36:8 But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people
of Israel; for they are at hand to come.
36:9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:
36:10 And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be
inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:
36:11 And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will
settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know
that I am the LORD.
36:12 Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and
thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them of men.
36:13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they say unto you, Thou land devourest up men, and hast
bereaved thy nations;
36:14 Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord
GOD.
36:15 Neither will I cause men to hear in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou
bear the reproach of the people any more, neither shalt thou cause thy nations to fall any more, saith the
Lord GOD.
36:17 Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and
by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.
36:18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for
their idols wherewith they had polluted it:
36:19 And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries:
according to their
way and according to their doings I judged them.
36:20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when
they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen,
whither they went.
36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O
house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye
went.
36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have
profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when
I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you
into your own land.
This is the new covenant experience.
36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from
all your idols, will I cleanse you.
36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the
stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
The new covenant is a new heart and attitude experience. This is the difference between the new
and old covenant. It is a total conversion experience.
36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my
judgments, and do them.
36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be
your God.
36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it,
and lay no famine upon you.
36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more
reproach of famine among the heathen.
36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe
yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
36:32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded
for your own ways, O house of Israel.
36:33 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will
also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
36:34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste
and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
36:36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places,
and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.
36:37 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I
will increase them with men like a flock.
36:38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled
with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 37 – Valley of Dry Bones
God told Ezekiel to prophecy “My word.” Preaching the word of God will bring the HS into their
body. Young people, preach the word of God. When you preach the word, it will go into their bones,
flesh, hearts, and it will restore them. When we have new covenant experience, we will become
mighty army. Valley of dry bones. These bones described the people of Judah. God said to prophesy
unto them. It was described as him breathing into them, into the nostrils the breath of life by the HS.
The people were to be revived and stand up as a mighty army. They are dead spiritually. When they
have a covenant experience, they will become a vast army. This means they are revived. New
covenant is new heart experience. Only difference between Old and New covenant is the heart
experience. Requirements are same.
Application: The whole SDA church is a valley of dead bones. SDA churches today are dead
spiritually! We see bunch of dry bones stacked in our churches! They are dead! They don’t have any
spiritual experiences! When they come out and give Sabbath school remarks, Sabbath school
studies, sermons, they give all these bad smell of a dead person! Only way that we can be revived is
through the HS. They are dead spiritually in the pews. When they preach or do the Sabbath school
lessons, remarks, etc they are dead, they can only be revived by the Holy Spirit.
37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down
in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
37:2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley;
and, lo, they were very dry.
37:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the
word of the LORD.
37:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall
live:
37:6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put
breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking,
and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
37:8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them
above: but there was no breath in them.
37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus
saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may
live.
37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up
upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
37:11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our
bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open
your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
37:13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought
you up out of your graves,
37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall
ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
37:16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children
of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and
for all the house of Israel his companions:
37:17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
37:18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou
meanest by these?
37:19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand
of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah,
and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
37:20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among
the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own
land:
37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be
king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms
any more at all:
37:23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor
with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have
sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall
also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers
have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for
ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with
them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for
evermore.
37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the
midst of them for evermore.
Chapter 38 – Prophecy againt Gog
38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and
prophesy against him,
38:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and
Tubal:
38:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army,
horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers
and shields, all of them handling swords:
38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
38:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many
people with thee.
38:7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee,
and be thou a guard unto them.
38:8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is
brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel,
which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of
them.
38:9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all
thy bands, and many people with thee.
38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into
thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:
38:11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest,
that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
38:12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now
inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods,
that dwell in the midst of the land.
38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto
thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver
and gold, to take
away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
38:14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my
people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
38:15 And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of
them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:
38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the
latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be
sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.
38:17 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the
prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?
38:18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith
the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.
38:19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a
great shaking in the land of Israel;
38:20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all
creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall
shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and
every wall shall fall to the ground.
38:21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every
man's sword shall be against his brother.
38:22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his
bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and
brimstone.
38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations,
and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Chapter 39 – Prophecy against Magog
In Chapter 39 it shows the reviving of the Holy Spirit by preaching the Word of God. This is how
they are revived. Preach the pure gospel. And the word will come into their heart and mind and
they will be revived. By preaching the word of God this is how you breathe into their bodies the
Holy Spirit. Don’t just talk about the current events, etc. Don’t make it the main subject, preach the
pure gospel. It should be used to enhance the Word of God.
39:1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am
against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
39:2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from
the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:
39:3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right
hand.
39:4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with
thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
39:5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
39:6 And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall
39:7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute
my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
39:8 Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
39:9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons,
both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they
shall burn them with fire seven years:
39:10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they
shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed
them, saith the Lord GOD.
39:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the
valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there
shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.
39:12 And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.
39:13 Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall
be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.
39:14 And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the
passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months
shall they search.
39:15 And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up
a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog.
39:16 And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.
39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast
of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do
sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink
blood.
39:18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of
lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
39:19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have
sacrificed for you.
39:20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of
war, saith the Lord GOD.
39:21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have
executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.
39:22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
39:23 And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because
they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their
enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
39:24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and
hid my face from them.
39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy
upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
39:26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed
against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands,
and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
39:28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity
among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more
there.
39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of
Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 40 – The Vision of the New Temple
If we compare the size and structure of this Jerusalem to heavenly New Jerusalem, we find
remarkable similarities. What God is saying is “If you obey my law, this will be the real city for you
in this time.” But this prophecy has never fulfilled to them. But it will fulfill to the spiritual Israel.
The Lord shows Ezekiel the restoration of Jerusalem. When you compare chapter 40-48 with
revelation the dimensions are similar. God is saying if you obey me and my word, then the city will
be restored in this way. He describes the city and temple. Everything. This prophecy was never
fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with us in the latter days with the new Jerusalem.
Ezekiel’s Temple Vision

Ezekiel’s final vision of an ideal temple (and city, and land; chs. 40–48) forms a counterpart to the
vision of chs. 8–11. In each case he is taken on a tour of the structure, but whereas in the earlier
vision he discovers abominations and perverted worship, in this final vision all is in readiness for
the perpetual dwelling of the glory of the God of Israel. In chs. 8–10 most of the movement centers
on the gate structures to the north and finally focuses on the main sacrificial altar, from which
central point the slaughtering angels begin their work (9:6b). In this final vision Ezekiel’s tour
begins and ends at the East Gate, but passes by the same areas as those he saw in the earlier vision.
With the ‘tour” completed, he is again outside the main East Gate as he senses the approach of the
glory of God returning the same way as Ezekiel had seen him go.
Temple Plan
The labels are arranged from the innermost, and most sacred, area and moving outward. It must be
borne in mind that ‘temple” can have two quite distinct references: it can refer generally to the
entire ‘temple” complex, including the outer gates and court; in its more ‘strict” reference the
‘temple” is the innermost structure itself, which has a single (eastern) entrance and contains the
Most Holy Place.
Reference Explanation
A 41:4 The “Most Holy Place.”
B 41:3 The inner room of the temple.
C 42:2 The entrance to the temple.
D 43:13–17 The imposing altar; although the number of stairs is not given, the entire altar
structure is about 16 feet (4.9 m) tall, so many steps would have been required.
This area of the inner court was accessible only by priests—not even the prince
was permitted entry.
E 40:46 Chamber for Zadokite priests.
F 40:45 Chamber for “priests who have charge of the temple.”
G 40:17–19 The outer court, with its 30 chambers in the outer wall (40:17).
H 46:21–24 The temple “kitchens,” one in each corner of the outer court.
I 40:17 The 30 outer chambers.
J 46:2 The “prince’s gate”: from its threshold he worships on each Sabbath while the
priests bring the offerings into the inner court.
K 43:1 The main east gate, through which ‘the glory of the God of Israel” returns to his
temple (cf. 10:19; 11:22–23).
Temple Tour
Reference Explanation
1 40:6 The eastern (main) gate begins the tour; the E–W axis of the temple should be
noted; if a line is drawn from the east gate to the Most Holy Place, there are a
sequence of three elevations, as the space in the inner temple becomes
increasingly constricted.
2 40:17 From this vantage point in the outer court, Ezekiel is shown the main features of
this “plaza” area.
3 40:20 The northern-facing gate.
4 40:24 En route to the southern-facing gate, no details are given of the outer facade of
the inner court; the architectural details of this area must remain speculative.
5 40:28 Ezekiel’s entry to the inner court is by way of its south gate . . .
6 40:32 . . . then to the east gate (past the imposing altar, not yet described) . . .
7 40:35 . . . and on to the north gate, which includes areas for handling sacrificial animals.
8 40:48; Ezekiel approaches the inner temple structure itself, first describing its entrance;
41:1 he is then stationed outside the entrance while his guide first measures its
interior, then the exterior.
9 42:1 They exit the inner court through its north gate to explore the northwestern
quadrant of the outer court.
10 42:15 Ezekiel and his guide leave the temple from the east gate by which they first
entered. From this vantage point, Ezekiel was able to watch the return of ‘the
glory of the God of Israel” moments later (43:1–5).
40:1 In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the
month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD
was upon me, and brought me thither.
40:2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain,
by which was as the frame of a city on the south.
40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the
appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
40:4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set
thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou
brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.
40:5 And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed
of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one
reed; and the height, one reed.
40:6 Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and
measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate,
which was one reed broad.
40:7 And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers
were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.
40:8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.
40:9 Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the
porch of the gate was inward.
40:10 And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they
three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.
40:11 And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate,
thirteen cubits.
40:12 The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit
on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.
40:13 He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth
was five and twenty cubits, door against door.
40:14 He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate.
40:15 And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty
cubits.
40:16 And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round
about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were
palm trees.
40:17 Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made
for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.
40:18 And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower
pavement.
40:19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner
court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.
40:20 And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof,
and the breadth thereof.
40:21 And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts
thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty
cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
40:22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that
looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before
them.
40:23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east;
and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.
40:24 After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured
the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.
40:25 And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the
length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
40:26 And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had
palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.
40:27 And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate
toward the south an hundred cubits.
40:28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate
according to these measures;
40:29 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these
measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long,
and five and twenty cubits broad.
40:30 And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad.
40:31 And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof:
and the going up to it had eight steps.
40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to
these measures.
40:33 And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to
these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty
cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
40:34 And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts
thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
40:35 And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;
40:36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round
about: the
length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.
40:37 And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on
this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.
40:38 And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the
burnt offering.
40:39 And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay
thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering.
40:40 And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the
other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.
40:41 Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables,
whereupon they slew their sacrifices.
40:42 And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a
cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they
slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.
40:43 And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of
the offering.
40:44 And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the
side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having
the prospect toward the north.
40:45 And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the
keepers of the charge of the house.
40:46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of
the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister
unto him.
40:47 So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and
the altar that was before the house.
40:48 And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on
this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three
cubits on that side.
40:49 The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by
the steps whereby they went up to it: and there were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on
that side.
Chapter 41 – The Inner Temple
41:1 Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side,
and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.
41:2 And the breadth of the door was ten cubits; and the sides of the door were five cubits on the one
side, and five cubits on the other side: and he measured the length thereof, forty cubits: and the breadth,
twenty cubits.
41:3 Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and
the breadth of the door, seven cubits.
41:4 So he measured the length thereof, twenty cubits; and the breadth, twenty cubits, before the temple:
and he said unto me, This is the most holy place.
41:5 After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of every side chamber, four
cubits, round about the house on every side.
41:6 And the side chambers were three, one over another, and thirty in order; and they entered into the
wall which was of the house for the side chambers round about, that they might have hold, but they had
not hold in the wall of the house.
41:7 And there was an enlarging, and a winding about still upward to the side chambers: for the
winding about of the house went still upward round about the house: therefore the breadth of the house
was still upward, and so increased from the lowest chamber to the highest by the midst.
41:8 I saw also the height of the house round about: the foundations of the side chambers were a full
reed of six great cubits.
41:9 The thickness of the wall, which was for the side chamber without, was five cubits: and that which
was left was the place of the side chambers that were within.
41:10 And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.
41:11 And the doors of the side chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the
north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits
round about.
41:12 Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits
broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety
cubits.
41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with
the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;
41:14 Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred
cubits.
41:15 And he measured the length of the building over against the separate place which was behind it,
and the galleries thereof on the one side and on the other side, an hundred cubits, with the inner temple,
and the porches of the court;
41:16 The door posts, and the narrow windows, and the galleries round about on their three stories,
over against the door, cieled with wood round about, and from the ground up to the windows, and the
windows were covered;
41:17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about
within and without, by measure.
41:18 And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a
cherub; and every cherub had two faces;
41:19 So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion
toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.
41:20 From the ground unto above the door were cherubims and palm trees made, and on the wall of the
temple.
41:21 The posts of the temple were squared, and the face of the sanctuary; the appearance of the one as
the appearance of the other.
41:22 The altar of wood was three cubits high, and the length thereof two cubits; and the corners
thereof, and the length thereof, and the walls thereof, were of wood: and he said unto me, This is the
table that is before the LORD.
41:23 And the temple and the sanctuary had two doors.
41:24 And the doors had two leaves apiece, two turning leaves; two leaves for the one door, and two
leaves for the other door.
41:25 And there were made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubims and palm trees, like as were
made upon the walls; and there were thick planks upon the face of the porch without.
41:26 And there were narrow windows and palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides
of the porch, and upon the side chambers of the house, and thick planks.
Chapter 42 – The Temple’s Chamber
42:1 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, the way toward the north: and he brought me into
the chamber that was over against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the
north.
42:2 Before the length of an hundred cubits was the north door, and the breadth was fifty cubits.
42:3 Over against the twenty cubits which were for the inner court, and over against the pavement
which was for the utter court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.
42:4 And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward, a way of one cubit; and their
doors toward the north.
42:5 Now the upper chambers were shorter: for the galleries were higher than these, than the lower, and
than the middlemost of the building.
42:6 For they were in three stories, but had not pillars as the pillars of the courts: therefore the building
was straitened more than the lowest and the middlemost from the ground.
42:7 And the wall that was without over against the chambers, toward the utter court on the forepart of
the chambers, the length thereof was fifty cubits.
42:8 For the length of the chambers that were in the utter court was fifty cubits: and, lo, before the
temple were an hundred cubits.
42:9 And from under these chambers was the entry on the east side, as one goeth into them from the
utter court.
42:10 The chambers were in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, over against the
separate place, and over against the building.
42:11 And the way before them was like the appearance of the chambers which were toward the north,
as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their goings out were both according to their fashions, and
according to their doors.
42:12 And according to the doors of the chambers that were toward the south was a door in the head of
the way, even the way directly before the wall toward the east, as one entereth into them.
42:13 Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate
place, they be holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy
things: there shall they lay
the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place
is holy.
42:14 When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place into the utter court, but
there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they are holy; and shall put on other
garments, and shall approach to those things which are for the people.
42:15 Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the
gate whose prospect is toward the east, and measured it round about.
42:16 He measured the east side with the measuring reed, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed
round about.
42:17 He measured the north side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed round about.
42:18 He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed.
42:19 He turned about to the west side, and measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.
42:20 He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five
hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Chapter 43 – The Glory of the LORD fills the Temple
43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a
noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I
saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar;
and I fell upon my face.
43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the
east.
43:5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD
filled the house.
43:6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.
43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where
I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no
more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their
high places.
43:8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall
between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have
committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
43:9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will
dwell in the midst of them for ever.
43:10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their
iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
43:11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the
fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all
the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that
they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
43:12 This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about
shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
43:13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth;
even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof
round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
43:14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth
one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one
cubit.
43:15 So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
43:16 And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
43:17 And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the
border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall
look toward the east.
43:18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in
the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
43:19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me,
to
minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.
43:20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners
of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
43:21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of
the house, without the sanctuary.
43:22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and
they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.
43:23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and
a ram out of the flock without blemish.
43:24 And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they
shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
43:25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young
bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
43:26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
43:27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests
shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the
Lord GOD.
Chapter 44 – Ministration of Levitical Priest
44:1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the
east; and it was shut.
44:2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter
in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.
44:3 It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the
way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.
44:4 Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory
of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.
44:5 And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine
ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws
thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.
44:6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house
of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
44:7 In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in
flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood,
and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
44:8 And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my
sanctuary for yourselves.
44:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall
enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.
44:10 And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away
from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.
44:11 Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and
ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall
stand before them to minister unto them.
44:12 Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into
iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their
iniquity.
44:13 And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any
of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which
they have committed.
44:14 But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house, for all the service thereof, and for all that
shall be done therein.
44:15 But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the
children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me, and they shall
stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord GOD:
44:16 They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister unto me, and
they shall keep my charge.
44:17 And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be
clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the
inner court, and within.
44:18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins;
they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.
44:19 And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put
off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on
other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.
44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their
heads.
44:21 Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.
44:22 Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take
maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.
44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to
discern between the unclean and the clean.
44:24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my
judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow
my sabbaths.
44:25 And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for
son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.
44:26 And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days.
44:27 And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary,
he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD.
44:28 And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no
possession in Israel: I am their possession.
44:29 They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every
dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.
44:30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your
oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may
cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
44:31 The priests shall not eat of any thing that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast.
Chapter 45 – The Holy District | Portion for the Prince
45:1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the
LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and
the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.
45:2 Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred in length, with five hundred in breadth, square
round about; and fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof.
45:3 And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of
ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary and the most holy place.
45:4 The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come
near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the
sanctuary.
45:5 And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites,
the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.
45:6 And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand
long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.
45:7 And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy
portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the
possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length
shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.
45:8 In the land shall be his possession in Israel: and my princes shall no more oppress my people; and
the rest of the land shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes.
45:9 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and
execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.
45:10 Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
45:11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an
homer, and
the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer.
45:12 And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels,
shall be your maneh.
45:13 This is the oblation that ye shall offer; the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of wheat, and ye
shall give the sixth part of an ephah of an homer of barley:
45:14 Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, ye shall offer the tenth part of a bath out of the cor,
which is an homer of ten baths; for ten baths are an homer:
45:15 And one lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat
offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, saith the Lord
GOD.
45:16 All the people of the land shall give this oblation for the prince in Israel.
45:17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in
the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall
prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make
reconciliation for the house of Israel.
45:18 Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young
bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary:
45:19 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and
upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.
45:20 And so thou shalt do the seventh day of the month for every one that erreth, and for him that is
simple: so shall ye reconcile the house.
45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven
days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.
45:22 And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock
for a sin offering.
45:23 And seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bullocks and
seven rams without blemish daily the seven days; and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering.
45:24 And he shall prepare a meat offering of an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and an hin
of oil for an ephah.
45:25 In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, shall he do the like in the feast of the seven
days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meat offering,
and according to the oil.
Chapter 46 – the Prince & the Feasts
46:1 Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the
six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be
opened.
46:2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post
of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship
at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.
46:3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the
sabbaths and in the new moons.
46:4 And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day shall be six
lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.
46:5 And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall
be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
46:6 And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a
ram: they shall be without blemish.
46:7 And he shall prepare a meat offering, an ephah for a bullock, and an ephah for a ram, and for the
lambs according as his hand shall attain unto, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
46:8 And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go
forth by the way thereof.
46:9 But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in
by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by
the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the
gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.
46:10 And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go
forth.
46:11 And in the feasts and in the solemnities the meat offering shall be an ephah to a bullock, and an
ephah to a ram, and to the lambs as he is able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.
46:12 Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto
the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east, and he shall prepare his burnt
offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going
forth one shall shut the gate.
46:13 Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD of a lamb of the first year without
blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.
46:14 And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the
third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual
ordinance unto the LORD.
46:15 Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual
burnt offering.
46:16 Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall
be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance.
46:17 But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of
liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons' for them.
46:18 Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of
their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not
scattered every man from his possession.
46:19 After he brought me through the entry, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of
the priests, which looked toward the north: and, behold, there was a place on the two sides westward.
46:20 Then said he unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the
sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear them not out into the utter court, to
sanctify the people.
46:21 Then he brought me forth into the utter court, and caused me to pass by the four corners of the
court; and,
behold, in every corner of the court there was a court.
46:22 In the four corners of the court there were courts joined of forty cubits long and thirty broad: these
four corners were of one measure.
46:23 And there was a row of building round about in them, round about them four, and it was made
with boiling places under the rows round about.
46:24 Then said he unto me, These are the places of them that boil, where the ministers of the house
shall boil the sacrifice of the people.
Chapter 47 – Water flowing from the Temple | Division of the Land
47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from
under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the
waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
47:2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto
the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand
cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
47:4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees.
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters
were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
47:6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return
to the brink of the river.
47:7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and
on the other.
47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert,
and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall
come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come
thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
47:10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they
shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great
sea, exceeding many.
47:11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to
salt.
47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat,
whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit
according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof
shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
47:13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to
the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
47:14 And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it
unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
47:15 And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of
Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
47:16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath;
Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.
47:17 And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north
northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
47:18 And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from
the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
47:19 And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the
great sea. And this is the south side southward.
47:20 The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath.
This is the west side.
47:21 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
47:22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the
strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as
born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes
of Israel.
47:23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his
inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 48 – Portions of Inheritance
48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one
goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are
his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.
48:2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher.
48:3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali.
48:4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh.
48:5 And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim.
48:6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben.
48:7 And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah.
48:8 And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall
offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, from the east
side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
48:9 The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of
ten thousand in breadth.
48:10 And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty
thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in
breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall
be in the midst thereof.
48:11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge,
which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
48:12 And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of
the Levites.
48:13 And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in
length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth
ten thousand.
48:14 And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy
unto the LORD.
48:15 And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall
be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof.
48:16 And these shall be the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the
south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the
west side four thousand and five hundred.
48:17 And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south
two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and
fifty.
48:18 And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand
eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and
the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.
48:19 And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
48:20 All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the
holy oblation
foursquare, with the possession of the city.
48:21 And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of
the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east
border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against
the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in
the midst thereof.
48:22 Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst
of that which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the
prince.
48:23 As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion.
48:24 And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion.
48:25 And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion.
48:26 And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion.
48:27 And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion.
48:28 And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto
the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.
48:29 This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are
their portions, saith the Lord GOD.
48:30 And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred
measures.
48:31 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one
gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
48:32 And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one
gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
48:33 And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of
Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
48:34 At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate
of Asher,
one gate of Naphtali.
48:35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be,
The LORD is there.
Zephaniah – Hid of the Lord
Introduction
This prophet is placed last, as he was last in time, of all the minor
prophets before the captivity, and not long before Jeremiah, who
lived at the time of the captivity. He foretells the general
destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, and sets their
sins in order before them, which had provoked God to bring their
ruin upon them, calls them to repentance, threatens the
neighboring nations with the like destructions, and gives
encouraging promises of their joyful return out of captivity in due
time, which have a reference to the grace of the gospel. We have, in
the first verse, an account of the prophet and the date of his
prophecy, which supersedes our enquiry concerning them here.
This book brought reformation in the church; this is the book to present to bring revival in Gods last
day church. The theme of this book is ‘the day of the Lord.” Zephaniah = "Hid of the Lord"9
(compound name).
The name Zephaniah means “Yahweh has hidden or treasured.” The remnant of God has been
hidden. God has hidden and treasured these people all along. Despite of all the apostasy that is
going on, God has been hiding these people in His bosom. (*PO Hidden in bosom goes with Phil 1:6
“bowels of mercy” corresponds with being hidden in bosom. He will finish the work. Study)
God really focuses a lot on the promise of restoration in this book. He is pronouncing judgment of Judah, upon
Jerusalem. After this He appeals for repentance to come back. Then judgment again, then a rebuke of Judah’s
sins. Then judgment on all nations and a promise for Judah. Judah will conquer the whole world and God will
expand the boundary of Judah. Jeremiah is a contemporary
Jer 4:19, 20 [19] ¶ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I
cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
[20] Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled,
and my curtains in a moment.
Destruction of Judah from Babylon, also referring to the day of the Lord.
GC 310 ‘the prophet Jeremiah, looking forward to this fearful time, exclaimed: "I am pained at my very
heart. . . . I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm
of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried." Jeremiah 4:19, 20. ‘that day is a day of wrath, a day of
trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds
and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm." Zephaniah 1:15, 16. "Behold, the day of the Lord
cometh, . . . to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." Isaiah 13:9.”
This book deals with prophecy with two applications, the local application and the end time world
wide application as can be seen in the above figure. So as we study this book we are looking at
literal fulfillment with Judah and also and end time application with the people of God.
PK 389 During the reign of Josiah the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah, specifying plainly the
results of continued apostasy, and calling the attention of the true church to the glorious prospect
beyond. His prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah apply with equal force to the
judgments that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the time of the second advent of Christ.
Theme: The Day of the Lord
Quiz PK 32-34
1. Josiah’s father was Amon; His father was Manasseh.

2. Josiah’s reign: 640 B.C. to 609 B.C.
3. Jeremiah 7:2-7; under whose reign was this? Jehoakim
4. Jeremiah 26 – What city that was destroyed was an illustration to the destruction of
Jerusalem. Shiloh (At the time of Eli, they believed as long as they had the ark they would
win, but they were utterly defeated.)
5. Jeremiah’s natural disposition: ‘shrinking”
Sermon: Law of heredity as seen in the Reign of Josiah (connect with the law of hereditary with
Christ.)
Author and Title

While the originator of the words of this book ultimately was Israel’s God (‘the Lord”), the prophetic
intermediary who delivered them to Judah was Zephaniah, after whom the book is named. Little is
known about him apart from his name and pedigree. That the prophet was named “Zephaniah,”
which means “Yahweh has hidden/protected,” could indicate his parents” piety, as they trusted in
God during the godless reign of Manasseh. Indeed, the genealogy in 1:1 may indicate that Zephaniah
was a descendant of Hezekiah, the pious ruler of Judah before two wicked kings assumed the
throne. Zephaniah means “Yahweh has treasured or hidden.” Other words, it means ‘the
remnant.” Instead of the apostasies and sins going on in Judah, God has been cherishing,
treasuring, and hiding His people on His bosom. He is a descendant of king Hezekiah and a
relative of king Josiah; a royal member of the kingly family. Zep 1:1. As a royal member, he knows
what’s going on more than others.
Date
The prophecy takes place during the reign of Josiah (640–609 b.c.), a significant Judean king (2
Kings 21:26–23:20; 2 Chron. 33:25–35:27). The northern kingdom of Israel had already been
exiled, in 722 b.c., so “Israel” (Zeph. 2:9; 3:13–15) does not refer to it. Rather, these references
speak of the remainder of the nation of Israel: little Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. Josiah was a
reforming king, trying to reestablish acceptable worship practices that had fallen out of use since
the time of his great-grandfather Hezekiah (2 Kings 21:1–26). Some suggest that the prophecy
comes from the beginning of Josiah’s reign, since the people are still engaging in condemned pagan
practices (Zeph. 1:8–9). This is not compelling evidence, however, since even after a religious
reform, not all lives are changed. This is clear from the other prophets preaching during this same
time (e.g., Jeremiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk), indicating that no matter how clear the call to
repentance, there were always those who refused to respond and who need to hear the prophetic
word afresh.
Theme
The theme of Zephaniah, one preached more consistently by him than by any other prophet, is the
“day of the Lord” (1:7, etc.). This approaching day shows two faces: one of judgment against those
who sin against God, and one of blessing for those who follow him. God will show himself just in
both punishment and praise.
Key Themes
1. God will judge the whole earth (1:2–3, 17–18; 3:8), Judah (1:4–16; 3:1–7), and her pagan
neighbors (2:4–8) alike.
2. God, as covenant keeper, will bless his people when they return to their covenant
relationship with him (3:11–20).
3. God wants to extend blessing and grace to all peoples and nations (3:9–10).
4. Judgment and blessing occur both in the near future for the prophet and his audience (1:4–
18; 2:3) and also in the more distant future (3:8–9, 11, 13–17).
5. There is no such thing as a second-generation child of God. Every generation must own
God’s covenant, not relying on the faith of a previous generation.

This prophecy is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in BC 586. Zephaniah lived around BC
620. But he is not only talking about the destruction to come in 30 years, but he is insinuating the
future application here. In spite of having seen the destruction and exile of her sister, Israel, a
generation or two previously, Judah refuses to turn back as a nation to her covenant obligations
toward God. The reign of pious Josiah provides an ideal opportunity to make this move, and God,
through Zephaniah, wants to clarify the decision that lies before Judah, and indeed before all the
other nations, along with the consequences of that decision. God is calling for Judah’s punishment
because she has already shown herself sinful. If she should repent and abandon her evil, “perhaps”
God will forgive (2:3).
The book is set against the background of numerous nations, many of which opposed God through
opposition to his people, Israel. The Philistines (2:4–7) had been vying against Israel for the same
land since the time of the conquest (e.g., Ex. 13:17; Josh. 13:2), while Moab and Ammon (Zeph. 2:8–
11), distant relatives of the Israelites (Gen. 19:36–38), had opposed Israel’s passage through their
land before the conquest (Numbers 22–24). “Cush” (Zeph. 2:12) possibly refers to the Egyptian
Twenty-fifth (Ethiopian) Dynasty (see Isaiah 18), while Assyria (Zeph. 2:13–15) is the foreign
power controlling Judah at the time of the prophecy. Surprisingly, the last among the nations being
warned is represented by Jerusalem, the capital of another of God’s enemies, Judah (3:1–7). This
places the message of God’s displeasure right in the face of those who claimed to be his own people.
The Near East at the Time of Zephaniah
c. 620 b.c. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, when Egypt, Judah, and Babylonia (with
the help of the Medes) were regaining their autonomy and eroding the power of Assyria. Shortly
after this time the Babylonians would replace the Assyrians as the dominant power in the Near
East.

God visits judgment on his own people to purge the faithless from their number. At the same time,
he preserves the faithful and will use them to bring knowledge of God to all peoples. On the great
day of judgment, God will purge the faithless from all mankind and bring the faithful into their full
inheritance.
Outline
1. Heading (1:1)
2. Judgment Coming Against Judah (1:2–6)
3. The Day of the Lord (1:7–3:20)
a. Day of sacrifice and punishment (1:7–9)
b. The coming wrath (1:10–18)
i. Against God’s people (1:10–16)
ii. Against all humanity (1:17–18)
c. Repentance is still possible (2:1–3)
d. Nations warned (2:4–3:8)
i. Philistines (2:4–7)
ii. Moab and Ammon (2:8–11)
iii. Cush (2:12)
iv. Assyria (2:13–15)
v. Jerusalem (3:1–7)
vi. Summary (3:8)
e. Anticipation of hope (3:9–20)
i. Conversion of the nations (3:9–10)
ii. Judah’s return (3:11–13)
iii. Joyful song (3:14–17)
iv. God’s promised restoration (3:18–20)
Chapter 1 - Day of the Lord | Punishment of God’s people
Prophets spoke more for us – 3SM "Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than
for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us."
Zep 1:2,3 Judgment on world – 9T 95 ‘through His prophet Zephaniah the Lord specifies the
judgments that He will bring upon evildoers: "
Close of probation – GC 310 "It was needful that men should be awakened to their danger; that they
should be roused to prepare for the solemn events connected with the close of probation. The
prophet of God declares: ‘the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?"" [Zeph
1:12,13,15,16,18 quoted]
Searching Jerusalem (Inv Judg) – TM 448 " The time has come when Jerusalem is being searched as
with lighted candles. God is at work investigating character, weighing moral worth, and
pronouncing decisions on individual cases."
Chapter Outline
 Time frame | Consummation of all wicked (1-6)
 Day of the Lord’s punishment (7-13)
 Day of the Lord’s wrath (14-18)
Consummation of all wicked (1-6)

VERSE [1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah,
the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. [2] I will
utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. [3] I will consume man and beast; I will
consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the
wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. [4] I will also stretch out mine hand
upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from
this place, and the name of the Chemarims* with the priests; [5] And them that worship the host of
heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by
Malcham; [6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the
LORD, nor enquired for him.
1:1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of
Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
“word of the Lord” – What do we know about the Word of the Lord?
Is 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please
God’s word is going to accomplish two things the desolation and destruction of God’s enemies and
the restoration of the people of God.
“LORD” Heb 3068 = Jehovah = ‘the existing One’
“In the days of Josiah” – This is our outline for this Book. The prophecies came during the time of
King Josiah. He prophesied prior to the 18th year of Josiah’s reign. His prophecies helped to bring
reformation.
PK 392 The silent yet powerful influences set in operation by the messages of the prophets
regarding the Babylonian Captivity did much to prepare the way for a reformation that took place in
the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign.
The eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign Why does he give his genealogy in his introduction? He is
identifying himself as being a royal member of the King Hezekiah’s family. He is apart of his lineage.
He was related to king Josiah.
Point: He is insinuating that he knows more than you do. I am a member of the king’s family I know
what is going on in the inside. King Josiah is trying to reform the Kingdom, and yet apostasy is still
going on. He is identifying himself with the people.
Who was the most wicked king in the history of Judah? Ahab & Manasseh. (Amon was also a wicked
king). King Josiah had the most wicked king as a grandfather. And his father was wicked too.
Through the law of heredity, he received the evil propensities of his father. He also became king at
the age of 8. How did he serve God and respect Him at such a young age. And also begin to reform
the church and the nation? In this history what can we learn? How would we apply this in a
sermon? Or to a person. No matter what kind of propensities you receive from your family, this
does not make you wicked or a sinner. God can take you and make you holy! This is done because of
what Christ did for us. Josiah saw in foresight. We see it in hindsight.
Lesson: Never complain after you have done something bad. You cannot say my mom was this way,
my dad was this way, it is because of my background. No we cannot say that. Josiah had the most
wicked background. He was sick of the sins of his ancestors and he grew and became faithful. In his
18th reign at the age of 26, he made a great reformation. The reign of Josiah was predicted 300 years
before he took the throne.
1 Kings 13:2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus
saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee
shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be
burnt upon thee
“priest of the high places” – this refers to the pagan priests. The high place was the best place.
People can see it. (*PO this is at the beginning of the division of the 10 tribes)
2 Kings 23:16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that [were] there in the mount,
and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned [them] upon the altar, and polluted it,
according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words."
He took the ashes of all the dead bodies of the pagan priests.
2 Kings 23:17-18 [17] Then he said, What title [is] that that I see? And the men of the city told him,
[It is] the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou
hast done against the altar of Bethel. [18] And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So
they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. "
He took the ashes of all the wicked priests. Then he came to the tomb of the prophet that
prophesied of him 300 years ago. He said let him alone.
1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
God is going to consume all things so there is a judgment. The first application has to apply to Judah.
This is referring to punishment of Judah by Babylon. The second application has to apply to the end
of the world, second coming.
1:3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and
the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
God is going to consume all things. First Application: It has to apply to Judah. Contextually these
verses apply to God executing judgment on Judah. But in a complete sense it refers to the second
coming. That is when all men all the wicked will be consumed by the brightness of His coming.
What is the key word in verses 2-3? Consume Who is speaking? LORD = Jehovah “the existing One.”
Fishes describe what is in the sea, fowls describe what is in heaven, and man and beast describe
what is on land. Sea, land, heavens – give me one word? Earth. But He says He will consume the
land. That means He will consume the earth. This is the end picture. The end of the earth.
Zeph 3:20 At that time will I bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you
a name and a praise among all people of the earth…saith the LORD.
He introduces Himself as Jehovah and He concludes with Jehovah. This must be the new heavens
and the new earth. What is in-between? The Day of the Lord. It is the connecting link between the
destruction of the earth and the re-creation of the this earth. What event connects those two events
together? The Millennium. Day of the Lord = 1,000 yrs.
BSM: He calls Himself Jehovah, why? Why not Branch? Why not the angel of the Lord? Why Jehovah.
Remember God introduces Himself based upon two things: What the people need and what action
He is about to perform. Example: 7 churches. When is the first time you see man, beast, and fowls
together? Creation.
Gen 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the
day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
Jehovah is mentioned in connection with Creation. When is the first time in the Bible when God calls
Himself Jehovah?
Ex 6:3-4 [3] And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by [the name of] God
Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. [4] And I have also established my
covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were
strangers.
1 Peter 2 church called pilgrims and strangers. Covenant to give them the Land. But as long as the
wicked are in the land God cannot fulfill His covenant. Therefore He must consume all the wicked so
that He can fulfill His covenant. He is speaking to Moses, who spoke to Moses in the burning bush?
Ex 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and
he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush [was] not consumed.
Jehovah is connected to Creation, consuming, burning, fire, re-creation, etc.
1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut
off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
“Chemarims” – direct translation from the original word. Often this word is translated as “wicked
priest,” or “heathen priest or “idolatrous priest.” The priest of Baal (notice that they worshipped
planets. This is equivalent to the zodiacs and horoscopes of today). These were priests that kings of
Judah ordained to offer incense.
2 Kings 23:4-5 [4]I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of
Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, [and] the name of the Chemarims
with the priests [5] And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained
to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem;
them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all
the host of heaven.
Note: So when the Bible says 2 Thess 2:8 " And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord
shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming"
contextually it refers to the antichrist, in general the wicked, to be more specific those who worship
the sun, horoscopes, swear to God and idols, and have left the worship of God, etc. These are
heathen priests who are Judeans, but they are priests of a wicked temple.
1:5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that
swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
“Malcham” was the national idol for the Ammonites. They would call Malcham their king.
Jer 49:1 Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why
then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
1:6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor
enquired for him.
They were worshipping the true God and then backslid. These is the wicked in Judah, these are the
ones who will be devoured by the Lord, a consuming fire. You can not live in Sin and still make it to
Heaven.
Day of the Lord’s punishment (7-13)

VERSE [7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for
the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. [8] And it shall come to pass in the day of
the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed
with strange apparel. [9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold,
which fill their masters” houses with violence and deceit. [10] And it shall come to pass in that day,
saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate,* and an howling from the
second,* and a great crashing from the hills.* [11] Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh,* for all the
merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off. [12] And it shall come to pass at
that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their
lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. [13] Therefore their
goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not
inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath
prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
First mention of the day of the Lord.
“sacrifice” – Who will be killed? Those that worship idols. God’s people who have backslidden.
“he hath bid his guests” – sanctify. Means prepared or set apart His guests. Notice it is speaking
about the Lord’s sacrifice, who is being sacrificed? The wicked in Judah. Who are going to sacrifice
them? His guests, so that is referring to Babylon. The Babylonians are being described as being set
apart according to God’s purpose to carry out judgment on the sinners. That is why it says in Zech
1:8 that he will punish the princes (chief officials of the state) and the king’s children. Who were
Josiah’s children? Jehoahaz, Eliakim, etc. Who were they punished by? Contextually? The guests,
who were they? Nebuchadnezzar and his armies.
Side note: When you study Daniel 9:26 "people of the prince" (Matt. 22:7 “his armies”) that was
referring to Titus and the Roman armies. In both cases you have God choosing heathen nations to
punish His people. To execute judgment on His people.
1:8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the
king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
The kings children will be punished. The day of the Lord is punishment on God’s people. Joshia is
the king at the time, but God is going to punish the kings children
“clothed with strange apparel” – Babylon
“day of the LORD” – this is referring to the punishment being executed on Gods people in Judah.
Contextually it refers to what? Judgment being executed by Babylon. The kings children will be
punished. The day of the Lord is punishment on God’s people.
1:9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters”
houses with violence and deceit.
1:10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the
fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
Description of Jerusalem. The noise is coming from all sides of the city.
“the fish gate…the second…the hills…Maktesh” – Four names are used here:
 The fish gate – It was a big fish market in the northern part of the Jerusalem where people
from Tyre came over to sell fishes to Judeans. That is why it is called fish gate.
 The second – little further out from the fish gate. It was the second wall.
 The hills – out of the walls, there were hills surrounding Jerusalem like mount of Calvary,
Olive, Gethsemane.
 Maktesh – it was a big meat market. Modern location is the boundary of the Jordan. If you
stand in the Mt. Olive, you can look down the whole city, and when you turn back, you can
see this boundary of Jordan.
Your cry, sadness will expand further and further, surrounding all Judea. That’s what is describing
here. The judgment of God would start at the center of Jerusalem and extend through the whole
region of Judea. In other words no one will escape.
1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver
are cut off.
“Maktesh” – Who shall be cut down? What is Maktesh? Merchant people who are selling silver, the
name means nmortar, a place in or near Jerusalem inhabited by silver merchants.
“search Jerusalem with candles”
TM 448 The time has come when Jerusalem is being searched as with lighted candles. God is at work
investigating character, weighing moral worth, and pronouncing decisions on individual cases.
Investigating character…the investigative judgment.
1:12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men
that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Key text on the investigative judgment
“I will search Jerusalem with candles” - With the candles I will search the man that says in his
heart, God will not punish us or bless us.
“the LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil” – This is called “Deism.” The whole idea is
that God created the earth, but He just left them alone according to the natural law; He does not
bless us nor judge us. These are real atheists in a way in practice. Because of this kind of people God
is going to judge Jerusalem and Judah. This verse describes the condition of the people’s heart. PO:
We see this in our church.
1:13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build
houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
Day of the Lord’s wrath (14-18)

VERSE [14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the
day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. [15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of
trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of
clouds and thick darkness, [16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and
against the high towers. [17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men,
because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their
flesh as the dung. [18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of
the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make
even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the
LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of
Darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
1:16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
“day of the trumpet and alarm"
Jer 4:19-20 [19]…I am pained at my very heart…[20] I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast
heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried
Sound of the Trumpet, alarm of War. First application is the close of probation of Judah
GC 310 He is describing the close of probation.
Refers to the close of probation. Jeremiah saw the same event.
1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned
against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but
the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of
all them that dwell in the land.
Key text on the destruction of the wicked
Notice verses 2 and 18, the chapter begins and ends with how everything is going to be consumed.
All these people well be consumed of the land through the judgments being executed by Babylon.
This is the same as v2, it begins and ends with what will happen, in between is How he will do it.
“Day of the Lord” – Consume all things off of the land, the 7 last plagues and the Second coming.
“Day of wrath” – Rev 14, 15 – seven last plagues. Verses 2, 3 total consummation of all the wicked.
"whole land..devoured by the fire" – This verse makes it clear that it is referring to all things
being consumed by the fire of His jealousy and the second coming. Now you can show how sinners,
and the wicked cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God.
Heb 12:29 …God is a consuming fire…
Now you can show how sinners, and the wicked cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God. So the
day of the Lord begins from the 7 last plagues all the way to the executive judgment.
What is the Day of the Lord? Contextually speaking we see that the first application is the work of
Babylon taking Judah captive, but the second application starts with the 7 last plagues, and ends
with the time after the millennium and to hellfire.
Summary
Verse 2 Begins with consuming all things from off the land. Verse 18 ends with making riddance of
all that dwell in the land. How He will do it, and this describes the Day of the Lord.
PA: From this chapter if we didn’t have any other book in the Bible we know that the day of the
Lord is referring to what? A time when God will consume all things from off the land, and the
pouring out of God’s wrath. What is that referring to? The falling of the 7 last plagues, which begins
when? After the close of probation, also at the second coming. V.7 "presence of the Lord" When
Jesus comes back all the wicked will be consumed. This all describes the day of the Lord.
Side note: Does this enhance your understanding of the term “day of the Lord” is it just referring to
the second coming? No, as a matter of fact the day of the Lord includes V.12 searching Jerusalem
with candles. EGW applies this to the investigative judgment. So the day of the Lord comes as a thief
meaning the day when Jerusalem will be searched with candles. It is referring to a day when your
name will come up in the investigative judgment and you will not know it.
Chapter 2 - Desolation of God’s Enemies | Hope
Study Daniel With – "In the night season I was in my dreams in a large meeting, with ministers, their
wives, and their children. I wondered that the company present was mostly made up of ministers and
their families. The prophecy of Malachi was brought before them in connection with Daniel,
Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah." RH, February 4, 1902 par. 13
PK 389 Habakkuk was not the only one through whom was given a message of bright hope and of
future triumph as well as of present judgment.
So now after judgment we can look for hope (Chapter 2) and future triumph (Chapter 3). The
concept of the Remnant concerning the OT and how it applies today is explained a lot in Zeph 2 and
3. In chapter two it describes present judgment or the day of the Lord in which judgment falls upon
the heathen cities that surround Jerusalem which are the Philistine cities and Moab and Ammon,
but God brings judgment upon these heathen cities as an example of what will happen to them if
they continue to practice the same sins that the heathen nations are practicing. The same applies to
us today, if we commit the same sins as the heathen nations around us, we are not going to escape
because we are in the church.
Sermon: “Gather The Nations” (covering Battle of Armageddon; nations that will fight against us as
God’s means to purify His church. Remnant concept in Daniel 2 connecting with Revelation 17; Miry
is those who apostatize and join rome, but God’s people are still there. Christ must come to save
them. The miry then joins the nations or the toes that are attacking God’s people study!)
Reading
 PK 35-36
Read: Louis Were’s Book: The moral purpose of prophecy; The King of the North at Jerusalem.
Heavy reading! Good principles on prophetic interpretation. How do we apply it to the spiritual
realm in our day? He give the principles.
Remnant: (other things to know about the Remnant)
Isa 1:8, 9 [8] And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of
cucumbers, as a besieged city. [9] Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we
should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
Isa 60:1-8 [1] Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.a [2]
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall
arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. [3] And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,
and kings to the brightness of thy rising. [4] Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather
themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be
nursed at thy side. [5] Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be
enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles
shall come unto thee. [6] The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and
Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth
the praises of the LORD. [7] All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of
Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify
the house of my glory. [8] Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Isa 62:1-3 [1] For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until
the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. [2]
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new
name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. [3] Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand
of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Isa 4:2-6 [2] In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the
earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. [3] And it shall come to pass,
that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one
that is written among the living in Jerusalem: [4] When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of
the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the
spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. [5] And the LORD will create upon every dwelling
place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming
fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. [6] And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow
in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Isa 11:10-12, 16 [10] ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign
of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. [11] And it shall come to pass
in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his
people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from
Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. [12] And he shall set up an
ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of
Judah from the four corners of the earth. [16] And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his
people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the
land of Egypt.
Ezek 36:23-28 [23] And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen,
which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith
the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. [24] For I will take you from among
the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. [25] ¶ Then
will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your
idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I
will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments,
and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my
people, and I will be your God.
Joel 2:28-32 [28] ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions: [29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour
out my spirit. [30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and
pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and the terrible day of the LORD come. [32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call
on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance,
as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of
her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 14:5, 12 [5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne
of God. [12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus.
Romans 9 – 11
Micah
PK 298-300
PK 605
PK 678
Chapter Outline
 How to be hid in the day of the Lord | An appeal to seek the Lord while probation lingers (1-
3)
 Desolation of Philistines (4-7)
 Desolation of Moab and Ammon (children) (8-11)
 Desolation of Ethiopia and Assyria (12-15)
Note: V.3 shows hope and the rest of the chapter shows the triumph of the church over their
enemies.
How to be hid in the day of the Lord (1-3)

VERSE [1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; [2] Before the
decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon
you, before the day of the Lord’s anger* come upon you. [3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the
earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be
hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
2:1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
“Gather yourselves together” – To gain strength
2:2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD
come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.
“Before the decree bring forth” – What decree? Execution of punishment of God to bring Babylon
against Judah. End time application – Decree “it is done” bring in the Sunday law and brings the
beginning of the day of the lord.
“that day” – Referring to the day of the Lord
“day pass as the chaff”
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together,
and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors.
Day of the Lord extends from the close of probation to after the Millennium when all the nations of
the world will be destroyed. What day pass? The day of the Lord, meaning before it comes. What
decree brings about the day of the Lord? The falling or outpouring of His wrath? Rev 22:11. So
before probation closes seek the Lord.
EW 71 Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the
whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come
up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared
for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before
the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, "He that is unjust, let him
be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." I saw that none could share the "refreshing"
unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and
over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord
and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of
the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His
presence.
“day of the Lord’s anger” – This phrase in the OT always means the day of judgment. The wrath of
God. The anger of God. They are synonym’s. The judgments of God are coming upon the nations
surrounding the nation of Judea first. Verses 4 and 5 are talking about 4 different cities in Philistia.
The strip of Gaza. The southern part next to the Mediterranean Sea.
2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness,
seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
So before probation closes seek the Lord.
BSM: when you study the Bible you need learn how to see that which is there, but is not specifically
mentioned.
“seek” - Conditions that need to be fulfilled to escape, this is the hope. The “meek of the earth” are
those that seek the Lord. When the Bible says ‘seek meekness’ what does that mean? What is the
problem with the people? They are proud, they are arrogant and haughty. Conditions that need to
be fulfilled if you won’t want to be subject to the seven last plagues. Hope, and triumphant of church
over enemies.
Contextual Application: Blessed are the Meek for they shall inherit the earth, these are they that
seek the Lord, how to they get the earth? By being hid in the day of the Lord.
Zeph 2:10 …This shall they have for their pride…
“seek meekness” – According to this verse how do you receive meekness? Seeking the Lord
Matt 11:28-30 [28] Come unto…learn of me for I am meek and Lowly.
Jer 23:6 …Lord our Righteousness
Rev 6:15-17 …Hide us from the face of the Lamb.
They are not hid by Christ so they are hiding from Him. What is their condition? They are not meek
and righteousness. They are proud and haughty.
Matt 5:5 …Blessed are the Meek.
When He says seek meekness. What is God really saying? I want to bless you. How you shall inherit
the earth. Who is able to receive inheritance? Heir or sons and daughters of God.
Rom 8:14-15 …Joint-Heirs with Christ.
God wants to hide you not only that you will not experience His anger, but that you can receive His
inheritance the earth. And you will see that in Zeph the final reward is for them to live in the earth
made new. The sons and daughters of God.
Desolation of Philistines (4-7)

VERSE [4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the
noon day, and Ekron* shall be rooted up. [5] Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of
the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will
even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant. [6] And the sea coast shall be dwellings and
cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. [7] And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house
of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for
the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day,
and Ekron shall be rooted up.
“Gaza…Ashekelon…Ashdod…Ekron” – These are the four major cities of Philistine. And God is
going to visit them with judgment. He is going to destroy them.
2:5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD [is]
against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no
inhabitant.
“Cherethites” – Inhabitants of Southern Philistia, the Philistines. Judgments on the Philistines. long
strip, southern part toward the Mediterranean Sea.
“Ekron shall be rooted up” – Ekron was the most northerly of the 5 principal cities of the
Philistines.
Dan 7:8 …little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots…
Little horn power, the papacy is the Anti-Christ. The God of heaven determines which cities or
nations are rooted up.
2:6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
2:7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses
of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away
their captivity.
“visit them, and turn away their captivity” – This phrase has two different meanings.
Jer 5:9, 29 [9] Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on
such a nation as this? [29] Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be
avenged on such a nation as this?
God visits to deliver His people or He visits to bring destruction. This is hope, they are meant to live
in the regions of the Philistines. This verse is repeated and magnified in chapter 3:11-13, 20. This
shows us that the boarder of Jerusalem was to be enlarged. It never happened, so it transfers over
to us. Jerusalem will extend throughout the whole world after the millennium and we will possess
what was once the habitation of our enemies. The southern cost, meaning this part of Philistine,
God is going to give to them. God is going to destroy them, and Judah will reoccupy it. It is the
covenant land that was promised to the descendants of Abraham.
Desolation of Moabites and Ammonites (8-11)

VERSE [8] I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby
they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border. [9] Therefore as I
live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of
Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the
residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them. [10] This
shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the
people of the LORD of hosts. [11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the
gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the
heathen.
2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have
reproached my people, and magnified [themselves] against their border.
“Ammon and Moab” – Lot’s descendant. Desolation of Moab, Ammon. They were enemies of Israel.
2:9 Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and
the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual
desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
“Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah"
Is 13:19
Babylon would be like Sodom and Gomorrah. Moab shall be as Sodom and Ammon as Gomorrah.
These two places were destroyed. The remnant are going to destroy Ammon and Moab.
“residue” – Means the remnant (Dan 7:7) Side note: Residue and Remnant are being used
interchangeably. So residue means remnant. Now you understand Daniel 7:7 ‘stamped the residue"
meaning the remnant.
“spoil” – Means to cease, gather, take away. Gathering people out of Moab and Ammon. ‘spoil” 962
baw-zaz” = to seize, gather, take away. So the remnant people of God are going to seize,
they are going to take away and gather ‘them” meaning Moab and the children of Ammon. Then it
says the remnant shall possess them, meaning they will possess those who have been gathered out
of Moab and Ammon.
“possess” – Means inherit. The word possess means to inherit. So the remnant are going to inherit
members from Moab and Ammon.
Dan 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but
these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Is 11:14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil
them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon
shall obey them.
RH Feb 4, 1902 In the night season I was in my dreams in a large meeting, with ministers, their
wives, and their children. I wondered that the company present was mostly made up of ministers and
their families. The prophecy of Malachi was brought before them in connection with Daniel,
Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah. The teaching of these books was carefully investigated. The
building of the temple, and the temple service, were considered. There was close searching of the
Scriptures in regard to the sacred character of all that appertained to the temple service. Through the
prophets, God has given a delineation of what will come to pass in the last days of this earth’s history;
and the Jewish economy is full of instruction for us.
2:10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified [themselves]
against the people of the LORD of hosts.
2:11 The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall
worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.
“worship him” – What does it mean to worship God according to the context? To seek
righteousness and meekness. According to the book of Zephaniah what is going to be the central
issue in the last days? Worship. Will you worship the God of heaven or the sun god of the heathens?
Will you seek the God of heaven or the heathen sun god for protection?
Desolation of Ethiopia and Assyria (12-15)

VERSE [12] Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword. [13] And he will stretch out his hand
against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a
wilderness. [14] And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the
cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows;
desolation shall be in the thresholds; for he shall uncover the cedar work. [15] This is the rejoicing
city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she
become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and
wag his hand.
2:12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye [shall be] slain by my sword.
The Ethiopians are mentioned. This is the northern border of Egypt/Africa. Assyria and Ninevah is
mentioned. God is saying that I am going to judge the nations that surround Israel first.
2:13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a
desolation, [and] dry like a wilderness.
“the north, and destroy Assyria” – Who is the King of the North? Assyria, and Assyria is used
interchangeably with Babylon. Assyria is also a symbol of the papacy.
Jer 50:17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath
devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Lion = Babylon & Assyria
“stretch out his hand against...and destroy” – When God stretches out His hand what does He do?
Destroy or conquer.
Dan 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not
escape.
King of the North will “stretch forth his hand.” Therefore the King of the North has the attributes of the Anti-
christ. He places himself in the position of God, and he is trying to control, conquer, and destroy the nations.
“Ninevah a desolation” – You have a prophecy regarding the destruction of Ninevah. Destruction
of Nineveh – 613BC. In 1613BC this was fulfilled in the first application.
2:14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and
the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; [their] voice shall sing in the windows; desolation [shall
be] in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
2:15 This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none
beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by
her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.
“city” – Referring to Nineveh
“I am” – Rev 18:7 – the papacy
"rejoicing city…none beside me" – Speaking of Ninevah. But Assyria or Ninevah now becomes a
symbol of the Papacy, spiritual Babylon. Right here we have a prophecy regarding the downfall of
spiritual Babylon at the end of time.
Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow
give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Zephaniah is repeating what Isaiah said Is 47:8. So we see that the Bible is using Assyria and
Babylon interchangeably. It is the same thing. Nineveh says “I AM and there is none beside me.”
This is Rev 18:7 Nineveh now becomes a type of Babylon at the end of the world. Isa 47:5-8 – “dwelt
carelessly”, this is Babylon. God is showing the destruction of all Gods people at that time, but in the
end it is showing the destruction of all the enemies of Gods church.
Summary
We are looking at the destruction of the enemies of God’s church at the end of time. Assyria and
Babylon are symbols, they were the strongest enemies of God’s people anciently. They represent
the strongest foes of the church at the end of time. Spiritual Babylon, the papacy.
Chapter 3 - Restoration of Jerusalem | Future Triumphant
Chapter Outline
 Oppressive and polluted city | Rebukes on Jerusalem’s sins (1-4)
 God’s judgments to bring fear and instruction (5-7)
 God restores His holy mountain (8-13)
 God’s promise and future triumph of His people (14-20)
Rebukes on Jerusalem’s sins (1-4)

VERSE [1] Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! [2] She obeyed not the
voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. [3]
Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones
till the morrow. [4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the
sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
“Woe to her” – Referring to Jerusalem.
“oppressing city” – This is referring to Jerusalem. So from this point forward you will have
examples of how she is oppressive as well as filthy and polluted.
3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near
to her God.
This verse sets the precedent or stage for the rest of this chapter. Notice how the things in this verse
are repeated through the chapter. The reason why Jerusalem at this point and time was filthy,
polluted, and oppressive was because she didn’t do these four things: Obey, receive correction, trust
in the Lord, and draw near to God. So because of this God brought judgment upon them. He
arranged circumstances so that His people would obey Him, receive correction, trust and draw near
to Him. This verse brings out the conditional element. If they would have done these things
Jerusalem would have remained.
“she obeyed not the voice” – People and inhabitants of Jerusalem came to the point where God
sent all the prophets and messengers, and these wicked and unjust people don’t care anymore. And
God had to wake up by showing judgment to the surrounding nations first. If they still don’t wake
up, He is going to destroy the Jerusalem city. By doing that God is going to blow off all the
unrighteous people out of the Zion, and only the remnant people will be left in the city of Zion.
PNA: This is also a lesson to us that illustrates how God deals with His people. God wants us to do
these four things: obey, receive correction (or instruction), trust Him, and draw near to Him. If we
are not doing this, God will allow circumstances to come in our lives to wake us up. To show us
where we are so we can draw near and trust Him. So if something is happening in your life, you
need to examine these four categories. If these four things are not going on in your life then God will
bring trouble upon you so that it will bring you back to him self.
3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till
the morrow.
Reason why they were oppressed. Not executing judgment correctly. This verse shows how the city
was oppressive.
3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have
done violence to the law.
Who is responsible? Her prophets, and her priests. Why? Because they were polluted. Priests were
polluting the sanctuary. Difference between Zion and Jerusalem: same entity.
City of Zion – When presence of God is in the city.
City of Jerusalem – no presence of God in the city.
Judgment on all nations in the world (5-7)

VERSE [5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he
bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame [6] I have cut off the
nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are
destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. [7] I said, Surely thou wilt fear me,
thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them:
but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
3:5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his
judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame
Every morning God is bring Judgments. Even though there is no reform.
3:6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by:
their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
The nations cut off in the chapter two. Verses five and six show how God executed judgment day
after day to the surrounding nations. The people who inhabited Jerusalem came to the point that
even after hearing the messages from the prophets. they came to the point that the wicked people
didn’t listen anymore. They just sat back. They didn’t care. They said God will not bless or punish.
This is Deism. Their hearts became hard. So now God is saying I am going to wake you up. How? By
showing them the judgment that would fall on the neighboring nations first. After this happens, if
they don’t wake up, then God is going to destroy His city Jerusalem.
(*PO can this apply to 9/11? The judgment that came from God was to wake us up before God
judges us?)He does this according the Minor Prophets by allowing the heathen nations like Assyria
or Babylon to surround them and attack Jerusalem. And by doing this it will shake out the wicked. It
will blow away the chaff. And only the remnant will be in the city of Zion.
Note: Zion and Jerusalem is the same thing. Why does God call it Jerusalem sometimes and Zion at
other times? Because when the presence of God is in Jerusalem it is called Zion. When His presence
isn’t there, it is the city of Jerusalem. Zion means a triumph city because the presence of God is in
that city? Why? Because the inhabitants of that city are pure.
Para: last days it will be the battle of Armageddon (Study in topical search, to see if this shakes
Adventism) (shaking?)
3:7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off,
howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
Purpose of the judgments on surrounding nations is so that they will receive instruction but they
continued in sin so God punished them. God speaking “I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt
receive instruction.” Fear him, that’s what is wants, this is the reason for the judgments. If they
had have responded God would not have taken them to Babylon.
"fear me…receive instruction" – Goes back to verse 2 "correction" instruction [margin] and obey
and trust.
He did it so they would listen and obey, but they rose up early and sinned.
“fear me” – Fear God according to Zeph means to obey, receive instruction, trust, and draw near.
Note: Luke 15:1 very interesting the publicans and sinners draw near to Jesus. They Feared God,
but the Pharisee and Scribes feared man. You have Fear God, Sanctuary, Law and Judgment. Sound
familiar? 1st angel’s message mentions these things.
God restores His holy mountain (8-13)

VERSE [8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my
determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine
indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
[9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the
LORD, to serve him with one consent. [10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even
the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. [11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed
for all thy doings, wherein thou hast [12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. [13] The remnant of Israel shall not do
iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed
and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my
determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine
indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
“therefore" – Conclusion based upon what was previously mentioned. The determination of the
Lord Because they corrupted all their doings, because they would not fear or receive instruction.
Now God is going to purify the whole land by fire. He is going to gather the nations and devour
them. This verse is the climatic verse of the chapter. From this point forward everything shifts. They
went from a people who would not obey, to a people who would obey, from a people who would not
receive correction, to a people who do receive correction. It was shifted from being disobedient to
being obedient. I am going to gather all the nations. This shifts the whole prophecy. All of a sudden
this filthy, polluted, oppressive city, becomes pure, holy, and just.
PA: What we are looking at is the God’s people going from the church militant to the church
triumphant. You have these characteristics in the church now. People who will not obey, receive
instruction, etc. But after the Lord purifies the church and establishes them on the new earth all
those things will be done away.
“gather the nations” – Where? To Jerusalem. Why? To attack them. This is God’s judgment, and by
doing this, God will purify His people. Those who depend on Him will survive and be protected
through this ordeal. And only the remnant will remain. All the wicked will be killed and scattered.
(PO: Last days we are going to be attacked by all nations, why? Because this is God’s means to purify
His people. Jesus said Matthew “for my names sake.” This prophecy applies to the destruction of
Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Zeph lived around 620 B.C. He is talking about 30 years later. But he was not only
referring to that Jerusalem, he is speaking of the destruction that was to come to Jerusalem in the
future. Isaiah and Micah are saying the same thing. In Joel it speaks of the valley of Jehosophat. It
simply means that God was going to bring the nations that were surrounding Jerusalem to that city,
and through them God would bring judgment. But God is saying God was going to judge them (the
nations that He used). And through this a small remnant will depend on God and be purified.)
App: through the battle of Armageddon God will lift the 144,000 and see the true spiritual Israel.
*PO God will judge the world through the 7 last plagues, but at the same time, the 144,000 are being
tested. And they will come forth exalted. These nations are angry at Israel. The want to destroy
God’s remnant people. So God will let them attack them, and during this judgment God will purify
His church.
EGW: Ellen White says the SDA church will be purified by persecution. We see the same concept
here in the Old Testament. It was seen in the nations attacking Israel. Comment: This is what the
ecumenical movement is about. It gathers all the people against the Day of Jehovah. Armageddon.
Armageddon is the sixth plague. We will see a tremendous gathering of the wicked people to
destroy God’s remnant. The 144,000. The GC explains this in the last portions of the book. Satan
tries to destroy all of God’s people so he could be victorious over Jesus.
“Armageddon” was a mount of Megiddo or mount of congregation. It refers to the region of Mt. Carmel. This
is where Elijah faced the priests of Baal. This is seen again in the 6 th plague.
3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD,
to serve him with one consent.
“pure language” – The remnant are those that do opposite to what is described in verse 2, and they
have a pure mouth.
“serve him” – Obeying Him
“all upon the name of the LORD” – This is showing that they are turning back or repenting, but
the best answer is they are serving with ONE CONSENT – which is to obey, which is trust in him.
What does that show? They trust Him. Now that he has brought judgment, now they are trusting,
this was the reason God brought the judgments. The church is now pure. Right now this is the
condition of Gods church, its made up of the wicked and righteous, Church Militant, we are looking
at the shift from Militant to Triumph.
3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring
mine offering.
All those dispersed beyond the river would return with offerings.
3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against
me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no
more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
God’s original intent was to gather them all back into Jerusalem. Once all the idols are removed He
wanted to bring them back, and then they wont have pride, they wont be looking at just the Holy
Mountain. All those who prided themselves in Jerusalem would be taken away. Why is Jerusalem
going to be called Zion? Why are the remnant only going to remain? Because God is going to take
the people who are prideful away. And what method is He using? Persecution from the nations
surrounding them.
3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of
the LORD.
"trust in...the Lord" – Only those who trust are left. Now trusting in the name of the Lord
3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found
in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
God’s original intent/purpose for Jerusalem. It was a partial fulfillment.
“remnant of Israel” – Who are the remnant of Israel? They shall not do iniquity, call upon the name
of the Lord, obey Him, have no deceitful tongue, draw near to God, trust in the Lord, and serve God
with one consent. This is the same as verse 20. Who are they contextually? Those who trust in the
Lord, those who are not proud, they serve Him, and call upon His name, and they have pure speech.
Or you can say those who obey, receive correction, trust in the Lord and draw near to Him. These
are the remnant.
Revelation has expressions of the OT all the way through the book of Revelation. Without the OT
prophecies there could be no book of Revelation. John uses all the prophecies of the OT to write the
book of Revelation. He formulates the remnant idea in Revelation. All of the covenants and
promises that God gave to deliver Israel are going to be literary fulfilled in spiritual Israel in the last
days. Where are these remnant coming from?
“Neither shall a decietful tongue found in their mouth” – Similar description of 144,000. Rev
14:5. “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”
God’s promise and future triumph of His people (14-20)

VERSE [14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O
daughter of Jerusalem. [15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine
enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
[16] In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. [18] I will gather them that are sorrowful
for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. [19] Behold, at
that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was
driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
[20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a
name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes,
saith the LORD.
This was God's original purpose for Jerusalem. Did it happen? There was a partial fulfillment, but
the complete fulfillment will transpire in the church in the last days.
3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of
Jerusalem.
3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the
LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he
will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the
reproach of it was a burden.
“I will gather” – This was God original intent for Jerusalem. This prophecy was fulfilled after the
captivity, but it was only a partial fulfillment, that means the complete fulfillment will be at the end
of time with Gods true church.
“sorrowful for the solemn assembly” – It’s talking about the Day of Atonement. Are we in
sorrowing experience? Are we afflicting our souls? 5T ‘seal of God” Chapter. God is going to seal
them who are sighing and crying for the abominations and apostasy of the church. What does this
mean? EGW wrote this too. Test to the church Volume 5 'Seal of God' God is going to seal those who
are sighing and crying for the abominations in the land. What is the most solemn assembly in
Israel? The Day of Atonement. Are we living in the day of Atonement? Yes, but is our church
afflicting their souls? No So God's remnant are sorrow because of this assembly.
3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her
that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to
shame.
The remnant who were driven out from the church and assemblies. They are going to come back
and they are going to be the remnant and the wicked in the church will be out.
3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name
and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the
LORD.
From a reproach to a triumph. From being scattered to being gathered.
“Her that was driven out…will I bring you again” – Remnant people are driven out from the
synagogues, from the churches. But they are going to come back. They are going to be the remnants.
Wicked people will be out. Without the remnant, the SDA church would have been as Sodom and
Gomorrah long time ago.
Isa 1:8, 9 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of
cucumbers, as a besieged city. Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we
should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
The remnants are not going to go out from the Zion, they are going to be remained and left.
Isa 4:2-6 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, …And it shall come to
pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every
one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: [4] When the Lord shall have washed away the filth
of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the
spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. [5] And the LORD will create upon every dwelling
place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming
fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. [6] And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow
in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Wicked people are going to go out by His judgment. Even though this church is apostasied and
wicked, we do not call this church Babylon or leave this church voluntarily. But if you are driven
out, there is no other choice. Then, God says, “I am going to take them back in.” When we think of
the Sunday Law, we often think that we will stand as bold as John the Baptist and fight against it,
never compromise! But Ellen White said that the experience of the disciples would be repeated
again. We will be scared to death, we don’t know what to do, and our countenance will be turned
pale. Without financial support, no church, no conference, no organization can be stood! Every
single object in the church will be knocked down! All the wicked people are swept away! And God is
going to regroup the remnant. At that time, God is going to bring those who were driven out of the
church back in to this group.
Through Isaiah, Ezekiel, Micah, Zephaniah, remnant means the people who are driven out from
Israel and Judea, and for those remained in Judea not in compromise with the corruption and
leadership, but who has true new covenant experience in their heart.
Isa 1:8,9 4:2-6, 60:1-8,14; 62: Bring back those who are driven out
Eze 36:23-28
Joel 2:28-32
Rev 12:17; 14:5, 12 Come out of her my people.
Rom 9-11 the seed of promise of Abraham
PK 298-300; 605, 678
God’s Covenant Transferred to Spiritual Israel
PK 298, 299 “In symbolic language Hosea set before the ten tribes God’s plan of restoring to every
penitent soul who would unite with His church on earth, the blessings granted Israel in the days of
their loyalty to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel as one to whom He longed to show
mercy….In the last days of this earth’s history, God’s covenant with His commandment-keeping
people is to be renewed.”
This covenant with literal Israel did not really fulfilled, so God is going to renew the covenant with
His true remnant in last days.
PK 300 Obedient to the divine requirements, they will be recognized by angels and by men as those
that have kept ‘the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:6, 7, 12.
PK 605 The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to
that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little
company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate.
PK 678 God’s remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of
God is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to
stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God.
Hiding Place for the Remnant

Remnant people are going to be hidden by the hands of God while wicked people are being
destroyed by the persecution and attacks of the surrounding nations.
Zeph 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek
righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide
thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
God is going to allow God’s church to be attacked. And while He allows it, he will hide His remnant
and they will not be harmed. What does this mean? The indignation is passing over God’s remnant.
PO connects with Psalms 57:1 Calamities = 7 last plagues. You can connect that with Zep 2:3 to
show that God’s people will be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
When this persecution comes from these nations, will we really in our human strength be able to
hide ourselves? No. They have technology that can see ants from helicopters and through thick
walls. What is Isaiah talking about. When he says “enter thou into thy chambers. What does this
texts mean? When final persecution comes to the church, physically, we are unable to hide. In this
day, we have all the technologies to search a crawling ant in dark night in the forest. We have
machines that can see through meters of thickness of rocks. There is no way that we can humanly
hide.
PP 256 In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved
through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of
God’s law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.
It’s not cave or rocks or certain hiding place. Its real meaning is the protection of the holy angels. At
that time, all God’s people will be scattered around the world, and God is going to send His angels to
protect individually in where they are. This is the chamber that we are to hide.
Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. To go
into the chambers doesn’t refer to caves or rocks. It means the protection of heavenly angels. God’s
people will be all over the world. He must send the angels to where they are.
God’s protection is the chamber or caves.
Isa 1:8-9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as
Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
PA: Without the true remnant people who have the truth and a purified experience in the SDA
church, our church would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah a long time ago.
Isa 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall
be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
The remnant are not going to go out from Jerusalem. They are going to remain. And the wicked will
go out by God’s providential plan.
*PO Left and Remain..One taken, other left. That is why we don’t believe that we should separate
from God’s church. We know that the SDA church is the true church. We don’t leave voluntarily. If
you are driven out, then God says I will bring them back in. Zeph 3:5
The concept of bringing them back in has never been fulfilled. It will be fulfilled by spiritual Israel in
the last days. (Louis Were brings this out in his book(Moral purpose of prophecy). We may say
didn’t fulfill when they returned from Babylon? That was a partial fulfillment. The ultimate
covenant that was given to Israel is going to be fulfilled in Spiritual Israel in the last days. Yes they
returned but they rejected the Messiah, they did not become the true remnant in their minds. Those
who were driven out by the leadership. God says He will bring them back in. When the NSL is
passed the experience of the 12 disciples are going to be repeated. Our faces will turn pale. The
leaders, schools, and institutions, etc. How do these institutions survive now? With Money. Without
this, the church and organization cannot survive. Economic disaster will come. EGW says, and James
says this. Summary: Through Isaiah, Joel, Micah, Ezekiel and Zephaniah.
The remnant means the people who are driven out from Israel and Judea. And those who remain in
Judah who have not compromised with the leadership and corruption and they have a true and
pure spiritual experience. They have a clean heart and conscience. Eze 36 speaks of bringing the
remnant back to the old place. He says he will purify them. He will give them a new heart and mind.
This is the New Covenant. They remain in Zion. The remnant people have a new covenant
experience. We are speaking of two groups: those who are left in the church and don’t compromise,
and those who are driven out, these are the remnant. Isaiah 60 and 62. In the last days we are going
to see all the people driven out from the land, and they will come back to the land and bring their
children, and gold, silver and treasures. EGW describes this as God calling His people out of
Babylon. Rev 18:4 Come out of her my people…receive her plagues. This will be fulfilled during the
loud cry. Romans 9-11 Explains that only the seed of Abraham will be considered the true remnant.
Not only literal Israel. Isaiah speaks of those who remained. Joel and Micah talk of the same thing.
PK 298 In symbolic language Hosea set before the ten tribes God’s plan of restoring to every penitent
soul who would unite with His church on earth, the blessings granted Israel in the days of their
loyalty to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel as one to whom He longed to show mercy, ..
In the last days of this earth’s history, God’s covenant with His commandment-keeping people is to be
renewed.
This means that literal Israel who received the covenant did not receive the full promise. God is
going to renew this covenant with those who are the true remnant in the last days.
PK 299 Obedient to the divine requirements, they will be recognized by angels and by men as those
that have kept ‘the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:6, 7, 12.
PK 605 The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to
that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little
company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate.
She is saying that this decree will be repeated in the last days.
PK 678 God’s remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of
God is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to
stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God. "
Remnant of the church. The church who went into Babylonian captivity. What period of time was
this in Revelation? 1260 year prophecy. This was Babylonian captivity, then they came out. The
coming out was what? A restoration of truth. 1844 after this, the true remnant will appear. Where?
In the USA.
(*PO: They were in captivity under Rome, but Rome at heart is Babylon. It was a form of Babylonian
captivity). Judah was slaves and captive to those in Babylon. They came out in 457 B.C. to rebuild
God’s temple. But for the 1260 years the church was in captivity to Babylonian doctrines, and then
the people came out from the reformation. And then the Advent movement came, and after this God
is going to rebuild the temple, what temple? God’s true church, by whom? The remnant of her seed.
What are the characteristics? They keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus and
that is the SOP. We are rebuilding God’s temple to be called the temple of Zion so God can be in it.
Our hearts must be purified. No guile will be in our lips. Then Jesus can live in our soul temple. Then
these body of believers become the true church and remnant.
(*PO this connects with Eph 2 we are built upon this foundation so God can dwell in us as a people.)
Note: Louis Were covers this.
Summary
They went from being a reproach to a praise in the earth. They went from being scattered in many
places to gathered into one place. They went from being destroyed by their enemies to destroying
their enemies.
Habakkuk – God’s Judgments & Salvation
Introduction
Joel was calling for a true repentance experience. The day of atonement experience. Habbakuk is
doing the same thing but in a different fashion. In Hebrew day of atonement means “Yom Kipper,”
yet other denominations say happy atonement day. This shows the problem of Christendom. They
have lost the sense of the meanings of the feasts days. It is the same way in Adventism. We have lost
the true meaning of it and the experience as well.
PO: We always say that when the NSL comes people will be brave and stand against it. NO, all will
be scared to death, maybe we will flee for a while and then come out under the latter rain. I believe
based upon SOP statements, that the 12 disciples experience will be repeated when the persecution
comes.
This is why Habakkuk and Joel is asking for the church to have a true repentance experience. They
were asking for the entire church to be purified, because God will judge the church first and then
the world. And through the judgment He will raise up a true remnant and through them, He will
judge the world.
The book of Habbakuk was written 625 B.C. There are no hints about the Historical background. We
don’t know why it was written or why until we read all 3 chapters. We believe it was written at this
time because Hab 1:5-6 mention the Chaldeans, who are they? The Babylonians. He introduces
them as a dominating force. This means they are beginning to be a dominate force.
Nebuchadnezzar’s father. Nebo-plazzar, around his time they became a dominate power. He began
his reign 625 B.C. that is why we use this date. When was Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon? 586 B.C.
(Important date). Before this happened. God sent Joel and Habakkuk to warn them. While Nebo
Polazzar was reigning: In Judea it was either the latter part of Mannaseh, or Amon, or the early part
of Josiah.
Habakkuk was a Pre-Babylonian prophet. He prophesied around the 12 or 13th reign of Josiah.
Daniel, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah are exile Prophets.
We know that this prophet prophesied during the reign of King Josiah. We know clearly from the
Spirit of Prophecy that he prophesies about the pending destruction that was to come to Judah. But
in reference to the church in the last days she says
PK 389 Habakkuk was not the only one through whom was given a message of bright hope and of
future triumph (seen in chapter 3:7-18) as well as of present judgment." So we are looking at
prophecies that reveal the bright hope and future triumph of God’s true church.
The name Habakkuk means ‘the One who embraces the plan or providence of God by faith” The just
shall live by faith, this is the same connotation. His name was derived from ‘shadak” that means
embrace. It means to embrace the love one. Habakkuk was all beaten up by the events that were
taking place around him. He could not understand why God was so patient and silent while there
was wickedness in the church in Judea. And all the righteous people were suffering. Why was he
suffering the apostasy in the church and with the leadership? So he said why and how long Lord?
God said be patient. He said I will punish this nation by using Babylon as an instrument. Then he
said Lord why are you using a wicked nation to punish a wicked nation, that goes against your
character? You can punish the wicked wit the righteous, but it doesn’t make sense. This is the whole
theme of Habakkuk, that is why he is beat up, but they he embraces the plan of God. The providence
of God. Then he says I understand. And God says the Just shall live by faith!Habakkuk means =
"embrace" ‘to cleave" (Hab 3:9)The book will reveal Habakkuk embracing and cleaving to God.
What it means to pray. Council on how to eat before you preach.
Review: What was the theme of Habakkuk? The just shall live by faith. What does that mean? Even
though things are happening around you and you are disappointed. Wait, I am going to judge this
wicked nation/church. I will use Babylon to judge them. Then he wondered how a pure God can
judge a wicked nation, with a more wicked nation. God said just wait. I will judge the church first
and then the world. No matter what it appears to be, sin surrounding you, believe in God and trust
Him. Write this vision so all can read it, it may tarry but it will surely come to pass. He says while
you are waiting, believe and trust that it will come to pass, it will speak at the end. Psalms 73
covered the same thing. The priest asked why does the wicked prosper and we the righteous suffer?
When will you judge? That is the whole question of Habakkuk. God says this is my plan, it may tarry,
but it will come. Don’t complain, don’t worry about it. The just shall live by faithfulness, loyalty,
truthfulness, etc. that is why Chapter 3:17-19. Even though I have no food or money, you will make
me walk in high places.
Summary: Swelling pride of the wicked Judeans and Chaldeans leads to death, while the trustful
submission of the righteous to God through faith leads to life. The Just shall live by faith.
Heb 10:36-39 [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise. [37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of
the soul.
We see the same concept in the NT.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise.
After we have done the will of God we need patience. That is why Rev 14:12 here is the patience of
the saints, that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. In order for you to keep the
commandments of God and the faith. It will take endurance. Faith and Endurance and Patience are
identical. (we usually believe it just means believing, but there is more).
Matt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
You must endure until the end. If you believe that faith just means to consent or to agree. You have
a misconception of what faith is. You will not understand Rightouesness by faith. It means in order
to have a righteous experience, perfection, the end result of righteousness by faith. You do it by
patience. You follow faithfully. You must be patient to see the promise.
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Jesus has tarried for over 1900 years. It is talking about Christian faithfulness.
Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure
in him.
This is talking about patience and endurance.
Heb 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the
saving of the soul.
This is why Righteous by faith is not a consent. When you get it you don’t go back to perdition you
endure and have an overcoming experience.
(BSM: Understand faith in the Old Testament and New Testament, then you will understand
righteousness by faith.) When Paul says you can have faith to the saving of the soul. Does this show
that you can have a faith that will not save your soul.RBF: We have two kinds of faith, Faith of Jesus
and Faith of Satan. Where do you find the faith of Satan? James 2. Do the devil believe that there is a
sanctuary in heaven? Yes. Second coming? Yes. Investigative judgment? Yes. What is his problem?
He does not obey and endure. The difference between the two is that the faith of Jesus means to
obey and endure, with patience.The faith of Satan means to consent, understand, he knows, but he
does not surrender himself to it by obedience.
Who are the best candidates to have the faith of Satan? SDA’s why? Because we know the truth the
best. The devil has more biblical knowledge. In vision EGW saw that Satan had a slope in his
forehead. Our character is in our forehead, this is where we are sealed. Your conscience and
reasoning is here. Satan doesn’t have faith, and faith makes character. In Hebrews 11 Paul
illustrates what it means to live by faith. The just shall live by faith. He talked of hardships,
martyrdom, etc. They endured, that is why he talked about it. Noah was considered crazy. They
never saw rain before. People will ask what a flood is. How hard is it to preach that? We have never
seen the second coming of Christ, but we preach it. We have an advantage because of His first
coming. Noah had nothing. Faith is the actual doing of it. This saves our soul.
Make a series of sermons from: Habakkuk, James, Hebrews, Matthew 24. (7th Day Adventist don’t
know what faith is.)
BSM/Preaching method: If you are studying and can’t get anything. 5 hours before you study eat
light fruit. (This is for special preparation for a message). Then empty your stomach. When you feel
the pain of hunger that is when the Holy Spirit will talk to you. When you feel like you must preach
a very important sermon: Eat fruit 2 hours prior to the time you preach. No bread just fruit. This
is for your strength. You will feel the HS fill your mind.
Abraham
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the
altar?
Looks contrary.
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto
him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
When Abraham said I believe it. He could not count the stars? But he believed Him and it was
counted for righteous. Now James give an inspired commentary on that event. He was counted
righteous. He became justified when he offered his son on Mt. Morai. In the beginning he was
counted righteous, but at the end his righteousness was revealed by offering his only son. By this
obedience he was justified by works not just faith.
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.
At this time when James wrote it. The aspect of faith was not understood by the church. Paul
emphasized it for the gentiles and the Jews were not happy. They said work: keep feast days, etc.
that is why Paul emphasized it so much. Because of this members in the early church didn’t
understand it. In 2 Peter 3:15-16. They read things into what it says. This is why James said faith is
not only believing it is following along with obedience. It took the spectrum of Abraham’s life to be
completely justified, from the promise until now.
Author and Title

Little is known about the prophet Habakkuk. He was a contemporary of Zephaniah and Jeremiah,
and possibly even of Ezekiel and Daniel, but none of the other prophets mention him. His name
appears twice in the book (1:1; 3:1), and he is clearly the main character. God commands Habakkuk
to record the vision in chapter 2, and he probably also wrote chapter 3. Habakkuk means ‘the one
who embraces (the plan or providence of God by faith).” Habakkuk comes from the word ‘shadaq,”
which means, ‘to embrace.” In a boxing game when you are about to knock out, you embrace him,
in that sense of embrace. Habakkuk 3:19, ‘to the chief singer on my stringed instruments (Heb:
“Neginoth” - similar instrument as cello).” Habakkuk might have been a temple singer or in
orchestra. He was a musician. God called a musician as a prophet.
Date
The only hint of a date for this book is its prediction of the Babylonian invasion of Judah (1:6), but it
is unclear The only hint of a date for this book is its prediction of the Babylonian invasion of Judah
(1:6), but it is unclear how far into the future this event would be (see 2:2–3). The Babylonians do
not appear to be an imminent threat when Habakkuk was writing, but he seems to be very aware of
their potential threat, and thus Habakkuk’s time frame is probably not later than the end of Josiah’s
reign (640–609 b.c.). Before Josiah, Judah had radically turned away from God under the leadership
of the extremely wicked kings Manasseh and Amon, and the nation was ripe for punishment (2
Kings 23:26–27). Judah was morally and spiritually corrupt, worshiping Baal on the high places,
offering its children to Molech, dedicating horses to the sun god, and allowing the temple to fall into
ruin. Judah experienced a significant, though short-lived, time of revival during Josiah’s reign with
the restoration of the temple and reinstitution of the Feast of Passover, but returned quickly to its
evil ways following his death. It was a politically turbulent time as well. Assyria had ruled Judah
with a heavy hand for well over a hundred years, inflicting punishment and tribute; but Assyria was
beginning to weaken, and soon Babylon would be the world power. Habakkuk probably lived to see
the following events: the destruction of Nineveh by Babylon in 612 b.c.; the battle of Haran in 609 in
which Josiah died as he tried to hinder the Egyptians from reaching the battle; the final defeat of the
Assyrians at the Battle of Carchemish (605); and possibly the fulfillment of his own prophecy of the
Babylonian invasions of Judah in 605, 597, and 586.
The Book of Habakkuk was found in 1940s, called Qumran Discovery/Dead Sea Scroll. Since there is
no historical background revealed in the book, so we don’t know exactly when it was written. . He
told the villagers and the antique merchants came and found many pots. And in the pots that had
many scrolls called (Midrash) which means commentaries of many Old Testament scriptures.
Daniel, Isaiah, and Habakkuk chs 1 and 2 were found. A sect called Esserc who lived in the part of
Judea that surrounded the dead sea, copied the manuscripts and gave comments on the writings.
Habakkuk may have been written around BC 625 according to Hab 1:5-7: Chaldeans are becoming
dominant force in the world. In the reigns of Nabopolazzar, the father of Nebuchadnezzar,
Chaldeans began to have dominant power in the world. Nabopolazzar started his reign around BC
625. According to Hab 2:20, it must have been written while the temple is still exist; before the
invasion of Chaldeans. In BC 586, Jerusalem city was completely destroyed by Chaldeans.
Theme
By the end of the book, Habakkuk is a changed person—he has learned to wait and trust in God,
who works out all things for his glory. Habakkuk, like Job, questions God’s justice, but in the end
both realize that God is sovereign and his justice is far beyond their comprehension. Habakkuk’s
message of judgment on Judah would not have been well accepted, for the nation had been blinded
by sin while false prophets were declaring that God would not punish his chosen people. But God’s
justice demands that wickedness be punished, whether found in pagan nations or in his own
people.
Key Themes
1. God is just and merciful, even though his people may not always understand his ways (2:4).
2. Wickedness will eventually be punished, and the righteous will ultimately see God’s justice
(2:5–20).
3. God uses some wicked nations to punish other wicked nations, but ultimately God will judge
all nations (1:6; 2:5–20).
4. The key phrase “but the righteous will live by his faith” summarizes the path of life God sets
for his people and is quoted three times in the NT (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38), each
time highlighting a different aspect of the phrase’s meaning.

At the reign of Nabopolazzar, in Judea was either later part of king Manasseh, Amon, or earlier part
of king Josiah. Habakkuk is unusual as a prophetic book in that it never addresses the people of
Judah directly but rather is a dialogue between the prophet and God. The first two chapters are
organized around Habakkuk’s prayers (or, more correctly, complaints) and the Lord’s replies.
Habakkuk saw the rapid progress of Judah’s moral and spiritual deterioration and this deeply
troubled him. Yet God’s response puzzled him even more, for “how could a good and just God use a
more wicked nation to punish a less wicked one?” God makes it clear that both nations are to be
judged and appropriately punished for their evil acts. Although Habakkuk may not fully understand,
he has learned to rely totally on the wisdom and justice of God to bring about the proper resolution
in ways he could never have imagined. This God is certainly worthy of Habakkuk’s praise and
worship, which is how the book ends. The words of this prophet would surely have resonated with
many of the righteous in Judah, who wondered what God was doing and struggled with the same
issues that Habakkuk struggled with. God’s words reassured them that he was in control and would
take appropriate measures to deal with the nations. This book continued to have relevance to its
readers, as evidenced by a commentary on the first two chapters discovered among the Dead Sea
Scrolls.
The Near East at the Time of Habakkuk
c. 620 b.c. Though the exact date of the prophecies of Habakkuk are difficult to determine, it is likely
that he prophesied a short time before the Babylonian invasions of Judah, which began in 605 b.c.
During this time the Assyrian Empire was in decline, and the Babylonians were rising to replace
them as the dominant power in the Near East.

God’s ways of preserving and purifying his people are mysterious to the believer; and yet God calls
his suffering people to show faith that God’s purposes for the world will at last prevail (2:4, 14;
3:17–19)—a faith that NT authors develop and commend.
Outline
1. Superscription (1:1)
2. First Cycle (1:2–11)
a. Habakkuk’s lament (1:2–4)
b. God’s response (1:5–11)
3. Second Cycle (1:12–2:20)
a. Habakkuk’s lament (1:12–2:1)
b. God’s response (2:2–20)
4. Habakkuk’s Prayer (3:1–19)
Chapter 1 – God executes judgment through Babylon | Divine
forbearance with Judah
Reading
 PK 32-34
Verse 1-5 is Habakkuk’s question: “Why LORD, in the church this iniquity is rampaging, all the
righteous people are persecuted, rejected, and despised. All these wicked people are prosperous.
Why is this?”
Habakkuk is beat up by difficulties and events taking place around him. He could not understand
why God is forbearing so long all this wicked people, leaderships, and apostasy in Judea. All the
righteous people are being suffered, why God is so silent? How long? Why LORD?
Verse 6-11 is God’s answer: “Don’t worry about it. I am going to judge this nation with Chaldeans.”
Verse 12-17 Habakkuk is now more troubled: “LORD? You are going to use more wicked nation to
punish this wicked nation? You are just, and merciful, and pure God. How can you do that? It does
not coordinate with your character. You can punish wicked nation with righteous nation, but how
do you punish this nation with more wicked nation?” That is the whole question of this book.
Chapter Outline
 Habakkuk cries for judgment and deliverance (1-5)
 The rise of Babylon to execute judgment (Prophecy) (6-11)
 Purpose of the rise of Babylon (Revelation of God’s justice) (12-17)
Habakkuk cries for judgment and deliverance (1-5)

VERSE [1] The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. [2] O LORD, how long shall I cry, and
thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! [3] Why dost thou
shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and
there are that raise up strife and contention. [4] Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth
never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment
proceedeth. [5] Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work
a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! [even] cry out unto thee [of] violence, and thou
wilt not save!
Look at the violence. How long do I have to cry and you don’t hear? Cry and not hear, cry of violence
and you not save? Strife and contention are rising up, why are you showing me this?
1:3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause [me] to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence [are]
before me: and there are [that] raise up strife and contention.
Habakkuk is crying out to the Lord. Why are you showing me these things? How long will he have to
cry out to the Lord?
1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about
the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
“therefore” – As the result of all this the law is slacked and judgment doesn’t go forth. From this
point forward God is going to respond based upon what Habakkuk has said in the previous verses.
Because of violence, strife and contention, the law is slacked and the wicked compass about the
righteous. If God will execute judgment, the law will not be slacked His mind was troubled. Why
Lord in the church do we see all of this iniquity. All the righteous are being persecuted. They are
rejected and despised, but the wicked are prospering. There is no just judgment. The law is slack
and judgment doesn’t go forth. Why? The wicked are not being judged for it. And then God gives the
answer
His conclusion is; That the law is slack, its not fair. If there is not judgment then the law is slack.
God’s response.
The rise of Babylon to execute Judgment (Prophecy) (5-11)

VERSE [5] Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a
work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. [6] For, lo, I raise up the
Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to
possess the dwellingplaces that are not their’s. [7] They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment
and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. [8] Their horses also are swifter than the leopards,
and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their
horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. [9] They shall come all
for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
[10] And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride
every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. [11] Then shall his mind change, and he shall
pa-ss over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for [I] will work a work in your
days, [which] ye will not believe, though it be told [you].
You have two events in this verse. A mind change and a passing over, and the offense of imputing
this his power unto his god. This marks the end of the kingdom of Babylon, but also these verses
give a quick synopsis of the rise and fall of Babylon. You are looking at the 70 years of Babylon’s
prosperity. V.5 places you at 606 B.C. V.11 places you at 539 B.C. Side note: V.5 was quoted by Paul
to the Jews in Acts 13:40,41. He was warning them of the destruction of Jerusalem because they
were trying to be justified by works not by faith. They trusted in religious forms to save them.
(applicable to us). [Imputing] this his power unto his god – Gives glory to the sun good. This is
marking the end of Babylon. Verse 5-11 shows us the rise and fall of Babylon
1:6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, [that] bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the
breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces [that are] not theirs.
Prophecy of the Chaldeans, detail of who it is going to be. We are in 628BC. Right now Babylon is
non existent as it rose in 606BC. God is saying, don’t worry about it, be patient. I will take care of it, I
am going to church this nation and church. But he is going to bring a more wicked nation Babylon,
to punish a less wicked nation which is Judah. And after he prays he was even more perplexed. He
said how can this happen? How can you punish us with people who are more wicked than us? It
doesn’t make sense.
1:7 They [are] terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
1:8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and
their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the
eagle [that] hasteth to eat.
1:9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up [as] the east wind, and they shall gather the
captivity as the sand.
Gather the captivity.
1:10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every
strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
1:11 Then shall [his] mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, [imputing] this his power unto his
god.
God will allow the prophet to see the wonder in his day. This is 628BC, Babylon comes in 606BC so
judgment is not far off. Verse 5 is at 606BC while verse 11 marks the end of the kingdom of Babylon.
The rise (606BC) and fall of Babylon (539BC)
“mind change…pass over…offend” – This is referring to when Neb lost his mind, and then he
passed over 7 times or years.
Dan 4:16-17, 30-33 [16] Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto
him; and let seven times pass over him. [17] This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the
demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High
ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest
of men. [30] The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the
kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? [31] While the word was in
the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken;
The kingdom is departed from thee. [32] And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall
be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass
over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will. [33] The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was
driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his
hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
Nebuchadnezzar attributed all this power to himself so he was given a mind of a beast. Seven times
passed over him.
Dan 5:1-4 [1]Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine
before the thousand. [2] Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and
silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem;
that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. [3] Then they
brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at
Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. [4] They
drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Belteshazzar attributed the success to his gods. This signified the close of probation for Babylon. He
would equate all his power and excellency to his god. The sun god. And this is what causes him to
fall. You are looking at Daniel chapter 5:1-4. And this is also an orgy or feast to Tammuz. The same
thing you see in Ezek 8. Now you see why God was upset. This places the time period at 539BC. In
chapter 4 of Daniel, when Babylon placed the praise to him self God gave him time to repent. In
chapter 5 of Daniel, when Babylon placed the praise to Tamos the sun god and that was the close of
probation. This is explaining the fall of Babylon. He is now telling him how he is going to deal with
the sins of the people, and how the result of Babylon. If Habakkuk did not say anything now God
would have gone on to Hab 2:5 with the words “Yea also”
Purpose of the rise of Babylon (Revelation of God’s justice) (12-17)

VERSE [12] Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O
LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for
correction. [13] Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:
wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the
wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? [14] And makest men as the fishes of the
sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? [15] They take up all of them with the
angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are
glad. [16] Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by
them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. [17] Shall they therefore empty their net, and
not spare continually to slay the nations?
1:12 [Art] thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast
ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.
Key text on the divinity of Christ.
Are you everlasting? God just showed the rise and fall of Babylon this show us that he is everlasting.
Luke 1:31, 35 [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call
his name JESUS. [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon
thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall
be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
He has the ability to look into the future – that is why God is everlasting. He just proved that God is
everlasting.
“We shall not die…ordained them for judgment” – Not just referring to the captivity but also to
eternal life. Purpose for the rise of Babylon for Judgment or Correction (Zeph 3:2)
“ordained” – invest with authority. It came from God that was given to Babylon.
“O mighty God” – the rock
1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that
followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Jesus prophesized the rise and fall of Babylon
“We shall not die” – he is cleaving to the Lord, even after seeing that there is going to be
destruction. He can not see the future of Judah, he is assuming that God will protect his own. He
understands Gods character and His mercy. In chapter 3 he describes he wants to be put to rest. So
this not dieing is just referring to death, but he is claiming everlasting life. This is an example of
faith. Babylon is wicked, we are more righteous then them. They went through the land and destroy
everything and then thank their gods for the success. This is why Babylon said is not this Babylon
the kingdom that I have built? He understands God and His character.
1:13 [Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou
upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that
is] more righteous than he?
1:14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, [that have] no ruler over them?
1:15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag:
therefore they rejoice and are glad.
1:16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their
portion [is] fat, and their meat plenteous.
“sacrifice unto their net” – Babylon is wicked. They will attribute all the success to their own
God’s. This shows that they would attribute their success to their gods and not the God of heaven.
Habakkik recognized this!! They credited their success to their own skill. That was the nature of this
kingdom. That is why we see Neb saying is this not Babylon which I have made? Is God going to be
silent when the more wicked will devour the more righteous?
See Isa 10:12, 13 you see the same mindset. It refers to Assyria, but Babylon and Assyria are used
interchangeably.
1:17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
Will the continue to gather others when they don’t attribute their success not to the true God?
Chapter 2 – Judgment pronounced on Babylon (The Solution)
Chapter 2: the Solution Here we see the solution. The Confidence in God’s Plan. In this chapter God
doesn’t give them the absolute physical solution. The solution doesn’t come because Habakkuk can
see it. He sees the solution by having faith in God’s plan. App: This happens in our lives. Even
though we can’t see the solution, the true solution is holding on to Jesus in faith. Ultimately He is in
control. He will take care of this, if He doesn’t see it as being beneficial to my life, He will not allow it
to happen. This is the solution. Without this faith we will have a lot of puzzling situations in our
lives.
Silence while Priest entered MHP [MH 437] – " In the sanctuary of the wilderness tabernacle and of the
temple that were the earthly symbols of God’s dwelling place, one apartment was sacred to His
presence. The veil inwrought with cherubim at its entrance was not to be lifted by any hand save one.
To lift that veil, and intrude unbidden into the sacred mystery of the most holy place, was death. For
above the mercy seat dwelt the glory of the Holiest-- glory upon which no man might look and live.
On the one day of the year appointed for ministry in the most holy place [day of atonement], the high
priest with trembling entered God’s presence, while clouds of incense veiled the glory from his sight.
Throughout the courts of the temple every sound was hushed. No priests ministered at the
altars. The host of worshipers, bowed in silent awe, offered their petitions for God’s mercy. ‘these
things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the
ends of the world are come." 1 Corinthians 10:11
Note: It was an example for us meaning in the last days in the antitypical day of atonement when
Christ entered into the MHP in 1844 everyone was to keep silence and offer petitions.
Chapter Outline
 Vision given at an appointed time (1-4)
 Judgment on Babylon. (fall of Babylon) (5-11)
 Earth given knowledge of Lord through Babylon (12-14)
 Violence returned on Babylon (15-17)
 Folly of trusting graven images (18-20)
Vision given at an appointed time (1-4)

VERSE [1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he
will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. [2] And the LORD answered me, and
said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. [3] For the
vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for
it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. [4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright
in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto
me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Habakkuk will wait to see what the Lord is going to say because he built his case in 1:12-17.
2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may
run that readeth it."
“Write the vision…run that readeth it” – Contextually this refers to the vision of the rise of
Babylon.This is the vision concerning the rise and fall of Babylon. Make it plain so they can read it
and run. This is a continuation of the previous conversation. Based on everything he said to God,
God did not answer Him because he was correct, concerning the character of God. In the context of
the Great Controversy – this lays out Satan to all the worlds and to all the Angels. When he says this
they see the character of God. Habakkuk was victorious in prayer. He persevered and pressed his
faith forward in the Lord.
Application: 'run that readeth it.' Meaning as a result of the vision coming to its appointed time it
would be made clear. And as a result they would run to and fro giving a knowledge of the correct
understanding of the vision. They would run to impart the information to others.
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end:
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
2:3 For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry,
wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Rise of the advent movement, 1290, 1335
“appointed time” – Even though God gave him visions and plans through His word and it hasn’t
come to pass yet. Wait for it, it will come to pass.
App: meaning the exact time that it should 'speak' or be made clear.
“though it tarry...wait for it” – We know of only one vision outside of the historical context that
this can refer to.
Dan 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days:
for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.
Referring to chapters 10-12.
Dan 12:12 Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and
thirty days.
Waiteth in the original means to keep waiting. So after 1335 you are to wait so in 1843 it would
appear as though the vision failed, but keep waiting!! At the end of this vision (meaning Daniel 12
and Rev) what happened? The temple was opened in heaven. The same temple seen in chapter 2:20
CLARIFY THE ISSUE OF THE DAILY!!
Explanation by John Loughborough
"Having passed the point of the apparent termination of the prophetic periods, we are placed in a
position which God foresaw his children would be placed in at the end of the vision; and for which he
made provision, by the prophet Habakkuk, when he says, 'I will stand upon my watch, and set me
upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am
reproved,' or as it reads in the margin, 'argued with.' 'And the Lord answered me, and said, Write
the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet
for an appointed time, but at the end [of the prophetic periods] it shall speak and not lie:
though it tarry [beyond their apparent termination], wait for it; because it will surely come,
[in the fullness of the prophetic times, beyond which] it will not tarry."10
The apparent termination comes at the end of the 1843. If you just study that prophecy you come to
the end and say what happened? It is suppose to be over. But the 1335 takes you to the first
disappointment. But this did not include the other prophetic times. This is where the church of
Philadelphia comes in (And Matthew 25:1-13 door shut). That date of that church is from 1833 to
1844. That prophecy carries you beyond the disappointment of 1843. Why is it so important?
Because you have an open and shut door in Revelation.
Rev 3:7, 8 …key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;..
I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
He moved from the HP to the MHP. You also have Rev 10 taking you from 1798 to 1844, and what
happened? Rev 11:19 shows that the temple was open in heaven. To where? The MHP.
That is why Hab 2:20 says the Lord is in His holy temple let all the earth keep silence. Verses 2 and
3 point you to the vision of Daniel and after it tarries wait it will surely come and when it comes the
Lord enters His temple. Keep silence!! Now He's in the MHP.
THIS IS CONFIRMED BY THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY!! SEE MH 437-438
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The
just shall live by faith.
“his” is not there. What does this phrase mean? Does it mean God’s faith or man’s faith? We see it as
God’s faith co-operating with man’s faith. This famous statement by Martin Luther has been totally
taken out of context. It is being mis-comprehended. When you study Habakkuk, this is not what it
says. Martin Luther said the just shall live by faith alone. At the Vatican while climbing the steps at
Peter’s cathedral Romans 1:17 came to his mind. He started a reformation. And because of this
people have the idea that we are justified by faith alone, and not by works. That is true. But the
original meaning is far from it. It means this: Habakkuk is saying God I don’t see any solutions, but
by faith.
God first of all gave Him visions: soon there will be judgment pronounced on Judah. Babylon will
come and attack. Then there will be a restoration in Judah. All this will be fulfilled. Write my vision
and words down. It may tarry, it may take some time to do it. Not in your own timing, but my
timing. But it will be fulfilled at the end surely. So you, wait! While you are waiting. You live by faith.
While you are waiting with the assurance that God’s prophecy will be fulfilled. While you are
convinced. Until you see the actual fulfillment, you live by faith alone.
(*PO Until we see the actual fulfillment of the latter rain, loud cry, the 144,000 preaching with
power. Until you see this, you live by FAITH! But hold on until you actually see the fulfillment come
to pass. As long as you are faithful, then God can be faithful to send the latter rain, to give you the HS
to preach the loud cry, and for the 144,000 to go through the time of trouble.)
10
Loughborough, John "Great Second Advent Movement" p.153
As long as you are faithful, God is going to be faithful to keep His promises to us. This is the
condition. He cannot fulfill it if we are not faithful We will see something interesting here. Asaph
who was the priest at that time had the same questions and concerns that Habakkuk had to God.
And he said this: The wicked are proud and uplifted.
“but” – contrast. Live by faith. It is illustrated by Habakkuk’s faith and Habakkuk’s faith is God’s
faith. You need to press, embrace and cleave to God. Asaph, the priest, asked the same question:
Ps 73:11-12 [11] And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? [12]
Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
Don’t you feel the same way sometimes? Illu: the one who cheated in class gets better grades. The
people who are cheating in business become more wealthy. The minister’s who are political and
play games become leaders in the G.C. Why is it Lord that the righteous are being persecuted?
Ps 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
There is no use to live pure and honest in heart.
Ps 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
All in the morning and night. This priest was burdened by the things that he saw in the church and in the
nation. What is happening? There is no judgment. Does God see these things?
Ps 73:15-16 [15] If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy
children. [16] When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;
He didn’t want to think about it anymore. Then something hits. The solution came
Ps 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end
In the sanctuary there is always judgment. When he understood the judgment aspect, it was clear. God is
taking note of all these things, and in His time He will pronounce judgment. He will do it in His own time.
Some don’t believe that the wicked will be judged for every action. He is a just God. He is dealing with the
professed believers now. Every thought and action. We will see it in the millennium judgment. Right now we
have a choice. We can be investigated now or at the 3rd coming when all the evil people see the acts of their
lives in panoramic view.
Many occasions in our life is the same way, even though we don’t see the physical solution to the
problems we experience, the true solution is that when we hold unto Jesus, ultimately God will take
care of it. Unless God sees this as beneficial to my life, He will not allow these things to happen to
me! That faith is the solution in our lives. Jeremiah asked the same question.
Jer 12:1 Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy]
judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal
very treacherously?
Why does all this wicked people prosperous. This is on his mind as well. What does it mean? The Just shall
live by His faith?
2:4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
“lifted up is not upright in him”
“Life by faith” – You have a contrast here between those who are lifted up, and the just. This is
referring to Babylon V.5. Those who are lifted up trust anything except God. They trust themselves,
they trust idols, money, wealth. But the just, they live by faith. In the context what is faith? Trusting
in God no matter what the circumstances appear to be. He just illustrated faith from chapter 1:12
through 2:1. Contrast between being lifted up and living by faith. The wicked live by lifting up, in
chapter 1 we see them giving glory to the nets and gods. His faith is in reference to God’s faith.
Habakkuk is an example of living by faith, as in verse 1:12 – 2:4 – even if you don’t see it or feel it,
press close to God and uphold it.
Judgment of Babylon (fall of Babylon) (5-11)

VERSE [5] Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home,
who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all
nations, and heapeth unto him all people: [6] Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a
taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long?
and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! [7] Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite
thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? [8] Because thou hast
spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for
the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. [9] Woe to him that coveteth an evil
covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the
power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast
sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber
shall answer it.
2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who
enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all
nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
“he transgresseth by wine” – This is Babylon or the person who is lifted up. The reason they are
proud is because of wine.
“but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:” – They are not satisfied
so they try to enlarge the kingdom and gather all people together. This verse gives us the reason
why the soul was uplifted in V.4. It was because of wine
2:6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe
to him that increaseth [that which is] not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
“shall not all these” – The ones who were gathered together, Meaning all the people and nations
they gathered.
2:7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be
for booties unto them?
“shall they not rise” – The ones who were gathered together. Now they are going to get you. This is
reference to the Medes taking out Babylon. They rose up suddenly and overthrew Babylon
2:8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of
men’s blood, and [for] the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
Those who they spoiled will spoil them etc... Judgment is coming right back on Babylon because
they got proud.
“Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee” –
This is like Rev 13:9.
2:9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he
may be delivered from the power of evil!
“power of evil”
2:10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned [against] thy
soul.
Because they have cut off many people, they have sinned because of their pride.
‘sinned” – Babylon has sinned because you have been cutting off many people. Once they move
away from the purpose of God it is sin
2:11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
“cry”
“stone shall cry out of the wall” – Blood on the wall (v8,9)
“beam out of the timber shall answer it” – Blood on the timber (v8,9). This is like Gen 4 and Rev
6, James 5 – The blood is crying out. Contextually referred to Hab 2:8 ..men’s blood..
Hab 2:9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high,
that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
"power of evil" and "palm of the hand [marg]" –They are crying out for their blood to be
avenged. By the figure of personification, just as Abel’s blood is represented as crying to God, or the
stone out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber, spoken of by Habakkuk 2:11, or as the wages
of the laborers spoken of by James 5:4. These souls cried for their blood to be avenged. As the
Babylonian’s killed, the blood went everywhere (v8-9). The blood on the stone wall and timber is
crying out to God. This blood is crying out for vengeance and deliverance. Cain and Abel – crying out
for vengeance and for God to execute judgment.
The Earth given knowledge of God through Babylon (12-14)

VERSE [12] Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! [13]
Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people
shall weary themselves for very vanity? [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the
glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
2:12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
Building towns on blood and sin
2:13 Behold, [is it] not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people
shall weary themselves for very vanity?
“very vanity” – (margin vain)
2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the
sea.
“vanity” – in vain
“labour in fire” – City that is built on a city of blood and sin. Why is He allowing judgment to be
pronounced on His people? And now why on Babylon? God’s people were experiencing a fiery trial.
Purpose – to fill the whole world with the glory of God. Through Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar).
Persecution and captivity is two-fold. Bring judgment and fill the whole world with the glory of God.
There is a woe pronounced against Babylon because they have established their city by blood and
sin. The fire here is symbolic of them laboring in a city that was built up with blood and sin. They
were to labor, it would be a fiery trial for them. This alludes to Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys they
were laboring. And God is saying are they laboring in vain? [margin] Or course not. So what is God’s
purpose?
Hab 2:14 …for the earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
Because Babylon was a world power. God would use them to fill the earth with the knowledge of
the character of God. And this was done. The Jews would go to the whole world, so God took them
to the whole world. When? Dan 3, 4 and it was repeated in Dan 6 under the Medes and Persians.
These verses are a repeat and enlargement of Hab 1:12. He raised them up for judgment and
correction, but also to fill the earth with the glory of the Lord.
Num 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
The prophet 863 years later reiterates the same truth as an event yet future. We are looking at the
gradual unfolding of the gospel. This passage has not yet been fulfilled.
There can be no doubt as to the certainty that this promise will be fully accomplished, for the Lord
has pledged his own life for its fulfillment. The history of the past presents no time when the earth
has been filled with the glory of the Lord, as stated in this promise. In every age since this
prediction, violence, anarchy, and sin have reigned predominant. In the days of the prophet
Habakkuk, the Lord through his prophet was pointing forward to that glorious time as yet in the
future.
Violence returned on Babylon (15-17)

VERSE [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and
makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with
shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord’s right hand
shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. [17] For the violence of
Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood,
and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to [him], and makest [him]
drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!
“woe unto him” – This is to Babylon
“giveth his neighbour drink” – this implies that the neighbour never use to dink. So Babylon is
giving their wine to the neighbor. What is this wine? – This is the Wine of Babylon, and it causes
nakedness.
CNA: Why are the people in the church of Laodecia naked? Because they are drinking the wine of
Babylon. False doctrine. They are counseled to buy gold and white raiment. What raiment is that?
RBF, Christ’s righteousness. So the wine produces the opposite effect. If being clothed represents
Righteousness by Faith, then nakedness represents Righteousness by Works. What type of wine is
this? The wine of Babylon.What is the wine of Babylon? RBW, sacraments, Catholicism.
“neighbour” – this is Gods people
2:16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of
the LORD’S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing [shall be] on thy glory.
“filled with shame for glory” – Wine produces the opposite effect, it is opposed to the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord. This is a contrast to v14. This all comes about because of the wine. This
wine is opposed to the knowledge of the glory of God. They are now filled with shame (nakedness)
for glory.
“let thy foreskin be uncovered” – reference being made to them being uncircumcised. The same
way the looked on others nakedness, now they will be exposed. It is simply illustrating that Babylon
will receive the same treatment that they have given others (illustrated in verse 17). Circumcision
God is describing that what they did, is going to happen to them, the same treatment.
2:17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, [which] made them afraid,
because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
“violence of Lebanon” – Lebanon is Jerusalem. The same violence exercised against Lebanon will
be exercised towards them.
Folly of trusting graven images (18-20)

VERSE [18] What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten
image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? [19]
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is
laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the LORD is in
his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a
teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
2:19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is]
laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.
“woe” – There is no breath in the idol. The stone can not arise, or awake. Talking about idols and
graven images. They (Babylon) are trusting in idols. So Babylon is being judged because they
trusted in their own idols and gods (1:16). This is being emphasized because all the violence that
was done in the previous verses were attributed to the power of their gods, but God is in heaven. He
controls the affairs on the earth. Not your idols. This is a repetition of chapter 1:16.
2:20 But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
“But” contrast to the idols in verse 19 showing He can arise, He can awake, and when that happens
probation is over, judgment is poured out. When He does arise, probation closes because He is in
the holy temple. But now He is still there. So? Keep silent, keep silent. How do we know that this
temple is referring to the one in Heaven?
Note: Cf. Zech 2:13 He saw the same thing. There are only two holy habitations. Ps 11:4; Ps 18:6, 9
(similar picture to Hab 3)
12th year – Habakkuk began prophesying

18th year – Josiah began reformation
You can view this verse two different ways. Habakkuk is mentioning the temple. So he must have
written that while the temple was in tact. This must have been before the invasion of the
Babylonian army. However the the earthly temple had not been restored yet under the reign of
Josiah. From this we can conclude that Habakkuk had an understanding of the heavenly sanctuary.
He has not arisen or awoken – therefore probation is still lasting. Which holy temple? The 12 or 13
years of Josiah is when he began to prophesy 628BC. The temple was built in 633BC. Therefore the
Temple on earth did not exist, so this must be the Heavenly Temple. This prophecy happened prior
to Josiah’s 18th year. The temple wasn’t restored until the 18th year. So it cannot refer to the earthly
sanctuary. He understands the Heavenly Sanctuary. When He stands, probations closes and
judgment is executed. This is what we should expect to see in chapter 3.
Doctrine: Sanctuary This reference is being made to the heavenly sanctuary. So here you see Hab
had aknowledge of the heavenly sanctuary.
First mention of the temple. This is reference being made to the heavenly sanctuary. David, John,
and Habakkuk all called the heavenly sanctuary the temple.
Ps 11:4 The LORD [is] in his holy temple…
Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven…
Note: Jer 17:12; Ps 102:19 these verses show the Sanctuary was in heaven.
Point 3: The mention of this temple is in connection with verses 2 and 3 which speak of the vision
that will come and will not tarry. More specifically Daniel 12:12-13. (repeat of what was said on
verses 2 and 3) That is why Hab 2:20 says the Lord is in His holy temple let all the earth keep
silence. Verses 2 and 3 point you to the vision of Daniel and after it tarries wait it will surely come
and when it comes the Lord enters His temple. Keep silence!! Now He's in the MHP.
THIS IS CONFIRMED BY THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY!! SEE MH 437-438
Hab 2:20 But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Why? This is showing that He raised up from one holy habitation to enter into the second holy
habitation. There are only two holy habitations in the temple. HP and MHP.
Zech 2:13 …Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Credit to William M. (Miller's Works Vol 2 Lec 12)
Chapter 3 – Christ brings Salvation to His people | The Judgment of God
and Habakkuk’s Response
In this chapter we see Hebrew poem, this is based on rhyming the same idea. Not so much the same
words. Chapter 3 is a description of Christ coming to deliver His saints from their enemies in the
last days. It is a lyrical poem (Hebrew poetry). It is a song. Habakkuk is now going to respond to
everything given in chapter 2. In relation to probation closing.
Second coming Ushers In Reign – GC 300-01 " The coming of Christ to usher in the reign of
righteousness has inspired the most sublime and impassioned utterances of the sacred writers…
And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. "God came from Teman, and the Holy
One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His
brightness was as the light.""
Second Coming of Jesus -- GC 640-641 ‘soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half
the size of a man’s hand…The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man…And ‘the
armies which were in heaven" (Revelation 19:11, 14) follow Him. With anthems of celestial melody
the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way. The firmament seems filled
with radiant forms--’ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." No
human pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor. "His glory
covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise. And His brightness was as the light."
Habakkuk 3:3,4"
Ellen White takes the OT prophecy and places it in its proper context at the end of time. This is a dual
application. Found in the chapter God’s people delivered.
Protected during time of trouble -- GC 629 " The people of God will not be free from suffering; but
while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not
be left to perish… "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the
labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the
fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls;" yet shall they that fear Him "rejoice in the Lord"
and joy in the God of their salvation. Habakkuk 3:17, 18. "
Judgments of Judah apply to the world – PK 389 "[Zeph] His prophecies of impending judgment upon
Judah apply with equal force to the judgments that are to fall upon an impenitent world at the
time of the second advent of Christ"
Final destruction of the wicked (glory files the earth) (1-6)

VERSE [1] A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. [2] O LORD, I have heard thy speech,
and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make
known; in wrath remember mercy. [3] God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran.
Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. [4] And his brightness was
as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. [5] Before
him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. [6] He stood, and measured the
earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the
perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
This is a lyrical poem.
“a prayer” – Song is like prayer
3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, [and] was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years,
in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
“I heard, and was afraid” – In wrath remember mercy. Here he is clinging to the Lord. He knows
that the wrath (judgment) is coming, but let it be in mercy. What Habakkuk heard in chapter two
made him afraid. He is cleaving to the Lord by asking for mercy in His wrath. So God executes wrath
against the wicked. And exercises mercy towards His people by delivering them.
3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens,
and the earth was full of his praise.
Verses 3-7 Give you the end picture. You see this principle in Revelation too. Many times God will
show you the beginning and the end and fill in the details in-between. So right here you are looking
at the end picture. The kingdom of Christ being setup on the earth after the millennium.
“selah” – Pause/meditate means pause, thinking about what has been said.
Hab 2:14 …shall be filled…
Chapter 3 – glory has filled the earth. This is an overview. This is second coming. This verse gives an
overview of what this chapter will show. The first part of the verse describes the destruction of the
wicked, the last part describes the earth made new when Christ sets up His kingdom. Then he
shows you what happens in-between. The last part shows glory filling the heavens and earth. This is
referring to the second coming.
"glory covered the heaven"
Matt 25:31 ...come in his glory…holy angels with him…
2 Thess 2:8 …brightness of his coming…
GC 641
3:4 And [his] brightness was as the light; he had horns [coming] out of his hand: and there [was] the
hiding of his power.
The end picture: The kingdom of Christ being set up.
“His brightness”
“horns” – piercing
3:5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting
mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways [are] everlasting.
“judgment” – Measuring the earth
Outpouring of wrath on wicked to bring salvation (7-15)
VERSE [7] I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
[8] Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath
against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? [9] Thy bow
was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave
the earth with rivers. [10] The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water
passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. [11] The sun and moon stood
still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering
spear. [12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in
anger. [13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine
anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation
unto the neck. Selah. [14] Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they
came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. [15] Thou
didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
3:7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: [and] the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
All the wicked are under affliction
3:8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath
against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation?
God’s wrath being poured out. Why was He displeased? Scenic picture – second coming.The same
imagery is scene in Rev 19. Was it against the sea? Was it against the river? Horses and Chariots,
Salvation
“bow..made..naked” – The imagery is being given of Christ coming back the second time to destroy
the wicked. When Christ comes will He literally have a bow? No. It is a poem, a song, they are
painting a picture to describe the second coming. If the bow was made naked previously it was
clothed, meaning it wasn’t in use, but now He is going to use it. They are painting the scene in slow
motion describing the coming of Christ. What is the bow?
“even thy word” – So He is about to use His word to do something. If you have a bow, then you
must have what? Arrows…watch in Rev 19:11-16. You have the same imagery.
Rev 19:11-16 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him
was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were
as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew,
but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The
Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in
fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should
smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name
written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
3:9 Thy bow was made quite naked, [according] to the oaths of the tribes, [even thy] word. Selah. Thou
didst cleave the earth with rivers.
3:10 The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep
uttered his voice, [and] lifted up his hands on high.
“the mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled” – Earthquake
“Overflowing of the water passed by” – flood. The water is lifting up. Jesus is coming back to save
His people. All commotion. If it passes then there is a flood
“he deep uttered his voice” – noise
“[and] lifted up his hands on high” – waves. Mountains trembled? What is that talking about? An
earthquake that takes place at the second coming.
Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and
island were moved out of their places
Water passed by, deep uttered voice, lifted up hands. What is this talking about? At the second
coming. The seas, and fountains of water are going to overflow their boundaries, and be in an
uproar.
3:11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the
shining of thy glittering spear.
“sun and moon” – the stand still at the use of the bow. Sun and moon stood still in their habitation
“Light of thine arrows” – Used with the bow (word of God, is being used to kill, punish, that’s what
arrows are for.) When the word is used the sun and moon “went” – how? Stop shining.
“Glittering spear” – Sun and the moon stood still, but when they saw the arrows they went. How
do the sun and moon leave? Instant darkness. What are arrows used for? To kill. So now Christ is
going to use His Word to kill or slay the wicked. When that happens. The sun and the moon will be
darkened. You have a bow, arrows, and spear. This all refers to military language. To war. Because
remember while Christ is in the MHP He has on priestly garments, but when He leaves He changes
into garments of vengeance.
BSP: Yes Habbakuk knew this applied to Babylon, but he saw beyond Babylon coming in the land. It
is like a dual picture. They would see events that transpired in Judah, but it would be co-mingled
with a description that describes last day future events.
BSM: They are using the language of their day to describe what will happen in the future on a
worldwide scale.
Note: That is why when we look at Is 24:23, Jer 4:23, 28 speaking about the millennium it says the
heavens were black and had no light. God has a bow, arrows and a spear. When the arrows were
used, they did go. Sun and moon
Jer 4:23-25 [23] I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they
had no light. [24] I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. [25] I
beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
3:12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
“Anger” – Use of the bow and arrow and spear are being used to “thresh the heathen” throughout
all the land When they saw the heathen, it was used (the bow and arrow). He is killing all of the
wicked. No wonder Habbakuk said remember mercy. This is a dreadful, dreadful picture!!You have
Christ coming with a bow, arrows, and a spear, and now when He arrives, when He gets here. He
marches through the land in anger, threshing the wicked. Plunging them through with His spear,
firing His bows!!
3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed; thou
woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Complete destruction. Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, [through] the heap of
great waters. Describing what happened also in verse 8-13
“thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people” – This all for salvation. Talking about the
wicked, he compares to a house, foundation to the neck. Now V.13 shows the reason why He did it.
For the SALVATION of His People. The head of the wicked was wounded meaning the final blow.
From the bottom up they were destroyed.
3:14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to
scatter me: their rejoicing [was] as to devour the poor secretly.
Reiterating complete destruction. Salvation of the people is describing what happened
3:15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
“sea and waves” – Describing what took place above.
Habakkuk rejoices & trusts God for salvation (16-19)

VERSE [16] When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into
my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto
the people, he will invade them with his troops. [17] Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither
shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the
flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in
the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. [19] The LORD God is my strength, and he will make
my feet like hinds” feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on
my stringed instruments.
3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones,
and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he
will invade them with his troops.
“when I heard” – What happened in the previous verse. What he heard before, this is an awesome
picture. He wants to “rest in the day of trouble.” What is the day of trouble? He is showing us that he
knew what was going to come on Judah, but he understood that this was about what is coming on
the end of the earth. He is saying when the 7 last plague come, let me rest, I don’t want to be around,
that’s why he says have mercy when you pour out the judgments. In chapter 1 he says we are not
going to die, he is referring to the second death.
“day of trouble” – Judgment of Judah by Babylon. Also, Judgment at the end of time. The falling of
the seven last plagues. Habakkuk wants to be in the grave when God executes judgment without
mercy. Again Hab is going to respond to what he has seen. For them it referred to God executing
judgment upon Judah using Babylon. Dual App: time of trouble during the 7 last plagues. How will it
be during that time? No food, described as “fig tree shall not blossom…”etc. But during that time we
should still rejoice and exercise faith in God.
Hab 3:17-19 [17] ¶ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the
labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my
salvation. [19] The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will
make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
This is the conclusion of the matter. He is going to show how the just shall live by his faith. He is
explaining the way or how the just shall live by faith.
“that I might rest" – Habakkuk was so terrified by what he saw that he wished that he could be in
the grave when that day came.
3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive
shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no
herd in the stalls:
In the day of trouble there will be no food available. That is why God is going to have to feed His
people with angels.
GC 629 The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while
they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom…” – Even though I do not have apparent prosperous
things, apparent wealth, apparent success, all I see is failure, afflictions, trials, tests, and
persecution. But I will be faithful! I shall live by faithfulness to God. Because sometime God is going
to judge it. Even though I don’t see any apparent success, still I will still “walk upon mine high
places.” When Christ lived in this world, he didn’t see any apparent success, he didn’t see flocks of
people praising His message, he was persecuted, afflicted, and yet he was walking above the clouds.
Matt 24:13 He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
You are modern Joel and Habakkuk. Your message is not a good message. It will be warning
messages. People are going to hate you and persecute you and stand against you. But you are to
live by faith, “Blow the trumpet in the Zion.” That is your destiny; your life as the last generations.
Heb 10:36-39 [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might
receive the promise. [37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of
the soul.
“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God…” That’s why in Rev
14:12 says, “Here is the patience of the saints.” In order to keep God’s commandments, to sustain
the faith of Jesus Christ, it will take the patience, endurance. We have this idea that faith is just
believing, understanding, consenting or agreement. But the true faith has patience, endurance. “But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt 24:13. Faith means patience and
endurance. When you have wrong understanding of faith thinking It’s just believing,
understanding, or consenting, you will have total misunderstanding of the righteousness by faith
experience. In order to have righteousness by faith experience, you do it by patience. Righteousness
by Faith is when you get hold of Christ and gospel, you don’t go back to the perdition, you stay on
with patience of the saint, you go on with Christ persistently in overcoming experience.
“Believe to the saving of the soul…” If there is a belief to the saving of the soul, that means there is
a belief not to the saving of the soul. There are two faiths in the Bible, the Faith of Jesus Christ
(Rev 14:12) and the Faith of Devil (James 2:19). Satan believes that there is heavenly sanctuary in
heaven. He believes that Christ will surely come for second time. He believes in healthful diet, and
investigative judgment in heaven. But He does not obey and endure. The only difference between
the faith of Jesus Christ and the faith of Devil is whether you obey it or not. You agree, understand,
consent, and yet you don’t surrender yourself to it by obedience, that’s the faith of devil.
Faith will build up your character. It’s not just an agreement or understanding, you have to act
upon it! That makes faith! No matter what happens before you and around you, you believe and
trust in God. That’s what it means by just shall live by faith. Satan does not have it. In order to
illustrate what is faith, Paul wrote whole chapter 11. He is trying to explain what does it mean by
just shall live by faith. As he tells the stories of Noah, Enoch, Moses, Abraham, he talks about all
the difficulties they have gone through to show that faith means endurance. Faith means obeying
God no matter what happens. That’s Heb 11.
Noah was building a big boat. They never saw rain, and Noah was preaching that flood is coming to
destroy them. They thought Noah was crazy! Preaching present truth is always hard! Have you ever
seen the second coming of Christ? But you preach it, don’t you? It’s the same thing! Not only
understanding, but also Noah was building it and preaching it exactly according to what God had
told him. That is faith. Faith is not just an understanding, but It’s actually acting upon it. Many
Seventh-day Adventists in the last days will find wanting. They thought they had the faith of Jesus,
but actually they had the faith of Satan. They agreed, but they never followed through with
endurance, they never truly obeyed.
Jas 2:21-24 [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son
upon the altar? [22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect? [23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed
unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. [24] Ye see then how that by works
a man is justified, and not by faith only.
“the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God…” – When God gave promise to
Abraham, he believed, and God counted it as a faith in Genesis. Notice the word “counted.” It was
counted as a faith. Now in James, Holy Spirit makes commentary on Genesis saying that this faith
was truly manifested when Abraham offered his only begotten son on the altar. By that obedience,
he was justified by works too, not only by faith alone.
The misunderstanding of the statement “just shall live by faith” has been spread all throughout
the church. So Holy Spirit had to address about this problem. Since Paul was preaching to Gentiles
against all these Jews were following him and saying, “works, works, and works alone; feast days,
circumcisions, and all,” Paul emphasized the justification by faith side. Because of that, many
member at that time misunderstood about Paul’s writings. That’s why if you read in 2Peter 3:15-16
makes this statement:
2 Pet 3:15,16 [15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved
brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all
his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which
they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own
destruction.
That’s why James had to clarify that faith is not just believing, faith is following it through by
obedience with patience and endurance.
BSM: When you study the word of God. When you are studying the deep subject, try to eat fruit five
hours before you study, and as you get hungry, that’s the best time to kneel down and study the
word. HS can teach you so many things in one hour, than studying ten hours with full stomach.
When you are about to deliver solemn message, you eat only fruit two hours prior to the delivery.
You will feel the filling of HS in your mind.
Verses 17 through 19 is a Description of Judah after it is left desolate by Babylon.
Hab expresses joy and faith in God’s salvation. He again is embracing. From the beginning to the end
he is embracing. He is describing events that would happen to Judah. God executed judgment
against them through Babylon. But this is a picture of the world at the end of time. God will
pronounce judgment on it, just like He did to Judah. See PK 389 Quote
Dual App: This verse has a dual application and applies to how the people of God will be without
food DURING the time of trouble.
3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
“I will rejoice” – Again he is cleaving to God. He will take care of us. Even though I do not have
apparent success. All I see is failure, afflictions, trials and test. Even in this I will not covet what the
wicked have. I will be faithful. The just shall live by faith! Because some time in the future God is
going to judge it. I will rather suffer here because of truth and be faithful to God, instead of being
judged by God as a wicked person. I would rather be faithful to God until the end. This is what it
means. There is no food, there is nothing I can do, but I will rejoice because he is just.
3:19 The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ [feet], and he will make me to
walk upon mine high places.
What a song. The lord is my strength. Even though I don’t see apparent success, I am still walking in
high places. Why? Because this is the faith of Jesus! When He lived here, He didn’t see any apparent
success. His message was apparently rejected. People wanted to kill Him. But He lived like He was
in heavenly places.
LRB: appeal I’d rather have Jesus than anything….
Matt 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Endure until the end. This is what it means to live by faith.
Illus: The second Austridge is coming. What is the point? Joel and Habakkuk. Pin point that the day
of the lord is coming. For the church first and then the world. And God is saying to Habakkuk wait.
Live by faith I will do it in my own time, but my judgment will come to the church first and then the
world. Why does EGW say that when persecution and the NSL comes most of the SDA’s will leave
even though they are well informed? To see what the Jews went through shows us. 12 people slept
in one bed. Joel and Habukk is saying to the church straighten up and listen, you are wicked in your
hearts, purify yourselves. Blow the trumpet in Zion.
Illus: the message we have and the preparation we are receiving, is to teach us to be modern Joel’s
and Habakkuk’s. Our prophecies that will come to the church are not good ones. We will be hated
and persecuted by many.
Summary: So we just saw the final salvation of God’s people, and how all of their enemies will be
destroyed. The restoration of the earth and the fulfillment of God’s glory in the earth.
Other quotes:
Louis Were (Cert. Of 3rd Angel’s) 278 = "We must always remember that the prophets saw the literal,
near-at-hand, local settings of their predictions, and commingled these with forecasts having
world-wide applications at the end of time."
Definitions
TEMAN — id. (1.) A grandson of Esau, one of the “dukes of Edom” (Gen. 36:11, 15, 42) (2.) " A place in
Southern Idumea, the land of ‘the sons of the east,” frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It
was noted for the wisdom of its inhabitants (Amos 1:12; Obad. 1:8; Jer. 49:7; Ezek. 25:13). It was
divided from the hills of Paran by the low plain of Arabah (Hab. 3:3)"
Jer 49:7 (Ezek 25:13) – Edom synonymous with Teman
Jer 49:20 – Teman to be made desolate
Ezek 25:13 – Teman (Edom) to be made desolate.
Amos 1:12 – Teman to be destroyed by fire.
Also tells you that Bozrah is in Teman
Obad 1:8,9 – Teman cut off by slaughter (destroy Edom)
Haggai – The Lord’s House
Introduction
This book is a unique book. He is a very successful prophet. All the people listen to his word and
obey it. This is rare. Usually the prophets are put to death, their beards are pulled out. But all the
people welcomed him. He didn’t receive persecution. Zerubbabel was the governor and a
descendent of David. He was a pious leader. And Joshua who was the high priest at this time was a
very godly minded leader. Because of these two leaders the people listened to God’s voice, and they
obeyed it. It is always up to the leaders of the church to lead out in spiritual things. In DA she says
the reason why Jesus was crucified was because of the faults in the leadership of this time. If they
were pious and spiritual the people would have followed them. But because of their apostasy Christ
was crucified and misunderstood.
All these four messages have to do with encouraging the rebuilding of the temple. All the messages
have to do with encouraging them to build the second temple. They are simple and direct messages.
Haggai was the 1st prophet to prophesy after the captivity. He prophesied around 520 B.C. Haggai =
"festival of the Lord" root ("festive’strongs)
Psa 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
The building of Jerusalem is equated with gathering the outcasts of Israel. Gathering the outcasts of
the church. The building up of Jerusalem is simply the gathering of the people. The building of
the temple is simply the gathering of the people. Read the fifteenth chapter of Acts, where James
quoted, when they were deciding that question as to the cause of God among the Gentiles, in that
first conference at Jerusalem, and he says: ‘simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it
is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down;
and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after
the Lord, who doeth all these things. The building up of ancient Jerusalem was simply the object-
lesson of history. The building up of the temple again was simply the object-lesson of history,
to teach us the truth, the reality, of these things.""11
Author and Title

The book of Haggai contains messages delivered by the prophet Haggai, and thus it is reasonable to
consider Haggai its author. The name Haggai, which means “festival,” promotes the conjecture that
his birth occurred during a festival of Israel, or perhaps links his name with his message,
anticipating the restoration of Israel’s great feasts within a restored temple. Nothing is known of his
genealogy. We assume that he was born in one of the feast day. The book of Haggai is an interesting,
unique book. Haggai was a very successful prophet: Whenever Haggai says something, governor
and priests all obeyed his words. For other prophets, they were persecuted, put into prison, and
sometimes death, but Haggai was very welcomed by people. There is a reason for it: Zerubbabel, the
leader, and Joshua, the high priest, were very pious, wise and spiritual leaders.
Date
The word of the Lord comes to Haggai between late August and mid-December of 520 b.c. There is
widespread scholarly consensus on these dates, though this does not preclude the possibility of
11 General Conference Bulletin April 17, 1901 Sermon by W.W. Prescott (can get a whole sermon from this)
editorial activity. If such editing did take place, it likely occurred before 515 b.c., when the temple
was completed. The dates given are significant for their places in both the liturgical and agricultural
calendars of Judah.
Dates of the Oracles in Haggai (All in 520 b.c.)

Oracle Reference Date
First 1:1 1st day of 6th month (Aug. 29)
Second 1:15 24th day of 6th month (Sept. 21)
Third 2:1 21st day of 7th month (Oct. 17)
Fourth 2:10 24th day of 9th month (Dec. 18)
Fifth 2:20 24th day of 9th month (Dec. 18)
Theme
The restoration of the Lord’s house by the people of God will mediate God’s presence. The Lord’s
House.
Key Themes
1. The restoration of God’s house. Temple restoration highlights the Lord’s desire to renew a
covenant relationship with his people, characterized by his presence (1:13; 2:4–5). A
decaying temple signifies a decaying relationship and brings defilement rather than
holiness to the people (2:14).
2. The prophetic word is the divine Word. The divine message comes “by the hand of Haggai”
(1:1, 3; 2:1, 10), is characterized by ‘thus says the Lord” (1:2, 5, 7; 2:6, 11), is a message ‘to
Haggai” (2:20), is characterized by “declares the Lord” (1:9, 13; 2:4 [3x], 8, 9, 14, 17, 23
[3x]), is the “voice of the Lord their God” (1:12), and is the “Lord’s message” (1:13).
3. The Lord is sovereign. The phrase “Lord of hosts” occurs 14 times in these 38 verses (see
1:2). The Lord gives the divine word, controls the fortunes of his people (1:9; 2:17, 19) and
nations (2:6–8), directs nature (1:10), motivates his people to action (1:14; 2:4), and
establishes and deposes kingdoms (2:20–23).
4. The people must work. A restored house will bring pleasure and glory to the Lord (1:8) and
convey blessing to the people (2:19), but there is work to be done. Physical labor (1:14) is
urged in the form of numerous imperatives (1:7–8; 2:4–5). But there is also “heart” work to
be done, as evidenced by the call to consider past experience in light of the present inaction
(1:5–7; 2:15–19).
5. The restoration of David’s house. Undoubtedly Zerubbabel, the heir of David (see note on
1:1), is promised an elevated status (2:23). The Lord, who had taken off the “ring” of the
Davidic house (Jer. 22:24–27), now promises to wear it once again. As in the OT (2 Samuel
7; Ps. 2:6), the NT understanding inextricably unites king and temple. It is only as the
temple is rebuilt (Matt. 26:61; 27:40; John 2:18–22) that Christ Jesus, the Davidic heir, is
installed as the messianic King (Rom. 1:1–4), thus fulfilling the promises to Zerubbabel
(Matt. 1:1, 12–13; Luke 3:27).
Haggai motivates the leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) and the people of God to consider their
current economic and spiritual circumstances and to renew their efforts to complete the work of
temple restoration. The historical setting of the book is in the sixth century b.c. among the returned
exiles from the Babylonian captivity. The Persian ruler Cyrus the Great (559–530 b.c.) captured
Babylon in 539. His edict in 538 b.c. permitted the return of Jews to Jerusalem so that they might
rebuild the temple (Ezra 1–2). Initial work stalled, however, when opposition arose (Ezra 3:1–4:5).
The events within the book of Haggai take place during the reign of Darius I (522–486 b.c.), a
general who rose to power following the death of Cyrus’s son Cambyses (530–522). The specific
mention of the ‘second year of Darius” (Hag. 1:1) places the book firmly in the year 520 b.c. Darius’s
support was vital for the completion of the temple (Ezra 5–6).
History of Persian Kings
Cambyses
After Cyrus died his son (Cambyses) came to the throne. Cambyses he made a crusade against
Egypt, there was a Persian magician named “Gumarta” claimed that his real name was ‘Smerdis,”
the brother of Cambyses, son of Cyrus, which was to be the king. He said that Cambyes, to become a
king tried to kill him and he escaped. Somehow people believed his story and put him on the throne.
Thus, his name has changed to Artaxerxes. Hearing the news, king Cambyses hurried back to Persia,
but on the way back he died on the journey in Syria.
False Smerdis
This Smerdis, false Artaxerxes, is the Artaxerxes that gave favor to Samaritans in the book of
Jeremiah. This is the Artaxerxes that is in Ezra 4. It’s not the one that gave rebuilding decree to Jews.
In his eyes, Jews were slaves and Samaritans were actual force. So in order to get his power, he gave
favor to Samaritans saying that Jews have to cease the rebuilding of temple. He gave a decree to
stop the building, but he is different from the real Artaxerxes. The Jews had less numbers. So he
wanted to destroy many temples. He built his own temples so he could influence them. So he gave a
decree in favor of the Samaritans. Because of this they stopped building the second temple. During
this time God raised up two prophets: Zechariah and Haggai. To encourage God’s people to rebuild
Jerusalem. then Cambyses son found out about it and killed this false smerdis.
Darius I
Within few months Darius I, the distant relatives of Cambyses, which people considered as ‘the son
of Darius,” found out the truth and killed this false king Smerdis, thus, Darius I became the king. By
that time, the rebuilding process has ceased and stopped. This is the time when God raised His two
prophets, Zechariah and Haggai, to encourage God’s people to go on. The second year of Darius I,
the book of Haggai opens its scene. This Darius did a great things for his kingdom, enlarged the
boundaries. He is called as “Darius the Great.” Israel people started to plead to him, mentioning the
decree of Cyrus, his grand father, and how the false king Artaxerxes has ceased it. Darius, hearing all
this, turned the decree and allowed them to go on rebuilding the temple. With this decree, after 4
years and 3 months, on 6th year of Darius I, March of BC 515, temple was completed. When Cyrus
conquered Babylon he put his uncle Darius as the king, and he was just called Darius. But the one
who gave the decree was called Darius I. Darius II was the son of Artaxerxes. So in Haggai chapter
1:1 where it says the second year of Darius. We are talking about Darius I who was the nephew of
Cambyses (they considered him a son) who killed the false Smerdis. And he became Darius the
great because he expounded the boundary of the country and built large structures. And this is why
the Jews began to appeal to him. Your father let us build, but the false Smerdis stopped us, and he
said yes and gave a second decree. But this decree did not give them ability to function as a nation.
So we don’t use this decree.
Xerxes
Son between Darius and Atossa (grand daughter of Cyrus). Darius loving Atossa the most, made her
son Xerxes, his descendant than any other princes. After Darius I died, Xerxes* reigned from BC 485
to BC 465: a long reign compared to his timid, weak character. He used generals to battle, but never
went out himself. Yet, he was very handsome man, loved nature, sciences, held a lot of feasts. He
reigned long because he had strong generals.
Artaxerxes
Artebanus, uncle of Xerxes, who was one of the strongest counselors, killed Xerxes to become the
king. But Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes killed Artebanus and became a king. Artaxerxes was weaker
than Xerxes. At this time Greece began to come and attack through the western boarder (Asia
Minor, the Assyrian region) through Palestine and Egypt. In order to maintain the boudry, Xerxes
began to help the philistines and palestines form their own strong hold. This is one reason why he
gave the Jews full permission to rebuild Jerusalem and to have a civil state as a separate
government again. He didn’t have any choice. Because Greece was attacking he couldn’t fight with
them all of the time. But if he helped the other nations to form a strong hold, these nations would be
a wall to the western boarder to prevent Greece from coming. But Cyrus and Darius I didn’t. They
both promised to give them full authority to establish their religious rites and civil states. And yet
their decrees didn’t grant this. Artaxerxes was the only one who gave the decree to let them
function as a civil nation. (He wanted them to be a strong hold against Greece.). He allowed them to
take all the gold and silvers that is needed out of king’s treasure. Since the temple was completed in
BC 515, this decree was to complete the Jerusalem city with walls, streets. Then he allowed Ezra to
select all the government officers and priests to bring them back to Judea. It was so huge group of
people and materials, that king sent a band of soldiers to protect them from enemies. Finally
Jerusalem finished in BC 408. It took about 49 years: one jubilee year. He gave the decree on 457
B.C. – 3rd Decree.
At the time of the reformers we see the same thing. When the Ottoman Empire began to attack
Rome from the eastern side, and western Rome was really afflicted by this blow. And at this time
the reformers had a lot of freedom to go and preach. All of the soldiers were occupied. This is why
they had more freedom to preach. We see the same thing repeated. God controlled the affairs of the
earth to help the people restore His second temple. (*PO we see that God was controlling the affairs
of the earth to restore the truth of the heavenly sanctuary. 1840 Ottoman empire. Trumpets And in
the midst Advent movement.)
Recommended book: Even At The Door, by Reid.
BC 438 is Jubilee year and Seventy-weeks prophecy(490:10 Jubilees) finished with Jubilee in AD 34.
Lineage of the Persian Kingdom

NAME OF THE KING REIGNS YEAR OF PROOF NOTES
DECREE TEXTS
Cyaxares(Darius) First king of Empire
Cyrus BC 536 – 531 1st Decree: BC Ezra 1:1-4
537
Cambyses BC 530 – 522
The false king Smerdis: 6-8 months Haggai, Zechariah

Artaxerxes was called.
Darius I BC 522 – 486 2nd Decree: BC Ezra 6:1-12 Temple

520 completed: March
BC 515, 6th year
Xerxes BC 486 – 465
Artaxerxes I BC 465 – 423 3rd Decree: 7th Ezra 7:1-26 Restoration of

year. BC 458- civil rights.
457
Jerusalem city
completed in BC
408
Darius II BC 423 – ?
…. ….
Darius Codomannus BC 336 Fall of Persia
Three Decrees
How many decrees were given for the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem? 3. There are three
decrees concerning the rebuilding of the Jerusalem: 1) Cyrus, 2) Darius I, 3) Artaxerxes. How do you
know which one is the real one?
1. Full Restoration of Civil State
It must be restored and built. Dan 9:24-25. Not just built, but restored. Which indicates that not only
the building should be there, but should have everything that they had before: civil rights and
states. Not only the temple, but the streets and walls should be built.
2. Comparison with other dates
If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, only the Last decree of Artaxerxes matches the date of His
baptism, AD 27, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Lk 3:1.
BC 537 – 465 = BC 72 x
BC 520 – 465 = BC 55 x
BC 465 – 438 = AD 27 √
Artaxerxes – 457 B.C. (his 7th year is from 458-457 B.C.) There are 3 decrees but we use 457 B.C.
Because in Daniel 9 it says to restore and to rebuild. Meaning more than just to build the temple,
but to be restored as a nation with the ability to function as an independent nation. You can also
show when Christ was baptized to show the accuracy of the first 69 years. You add one because
there is no zero year.
Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of
Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the
region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Tiberius Caesar. His 15th year plus when he began his reign in 12 AD 15 + 12 = 27 AD The anointing
means Messiah. When did Christ begin to proclaim that He was anointed? After His baptism. When
He went into the temple and read Isaiah 61 showing that the prophecy was fulfilled in their own
eyes. Acts 10:38 explains what the anointing is.
Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the
singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the
king.
This shows that in the seventh year of Artaxerxes reign the people began to go to Jerusalem.
Ezra 7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year of the king.
They reached Jerusalem on the fifth month of the seventh year of Artaxerxes reign. This is according
to the Jewish calendar.
Ezra 7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first
day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
This shows that they left Babylon on the first day of the first month of the seventh year they left.
And they arrived on the first day of the fifth month in Jerusalem. It took them 5 months to get from
Babylon to Jerusalem.
Question:
Ezra 6:15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth
year of the reign of Darius the king.
Adar is the 3rd month of the Jewish Calendar. Sixth year of the reign of Darius the King.The temple
was finished and completely built on the sixth year of Darius. Is this enough evidence to start the
beginning date for the 2300 day prophecy? No. This is not the commandment to go and restore.
This is talking about when the temple was finished. Not the whole city. If we use this we would have
to go back to the decree of Darius I, which is not right. It took 4 years and 3 months to rebuild the
second temple.
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to
restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore
and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
It includes restoring them as a government, a civil state. It only happened with Artaxerxes.
Summary: This should be enough to answer the people. Give them exact dates. Help them read Ezra
1, 6, and 7. Take time and explain.
When did Zechariah and Haggai come in? During the reign of false smerdis. The building of the
temple ceased. Then God sent both of them to arouse and encourage them to build again. This is the
time frame of the two books that we are studying. The later part of Cambyses through the false
smerdis, and part of Darius I, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes. This is the historical setting of these books.
Note: 457 B.C. according to the Jewish calendar was a jubilee year. God used it to help the people
understand what was going on. And AD 34 was a jubilee year. The 70 week prophecy is 490 years.
Which is 10 jubilees.
PK 572 All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally
gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son
Cambyses, who reigned about seven and a half years"
During his reign progress slowed.
PK 572 This was a time of wonderful opportunity for the Jews. The highest agencies of heaven were
working on the hearts of kings, and it was for the people of God to labor with the utmost activity to
carry out the decree of Cyrus. They should have spared no effort to restore the temple and its
services, and to re-establish themselves in their Judean homes. But in the day of God’s power many
proved unwilling. The opposition of their enemies was strong and determined, and gradually the
builders lost heart. Some could not forget the scene at the laying of the cornerstone, when many had
given expression to their lack of confidence in the enterprise. And as the Samaritans grew more bold,
many of the Jews questioned whether, after all, the time had come to rebuild. The feeling soon
became widespread. Many of the workmen, discouraged and disheartened, returned to their homes
to take up the ordinary pursuits of life." During the reign of Cambyses the work on the temple
progressed slowly. And during the reign of the false Smerdis (called Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7) the
Samaritans induced the unscrupulous impostor to issue a decree forbidding the Jews to
rebuild their temple and city. For over a year the temple was neglected and well-nigh forsaken. The
people dwelt in their homes and strove to attain temporal prosperity, but their situation was
deplorable. Work as they might they did not prosper. The very elements of nature seemed to
conspire against them. Because they had let the temple lie waste, the Lord sent upon their substance
a wasting drought. God had bestowed upon them the fruits of field and garden, the corn and the wine
and the oil, as a token of His favor; but because they had used these bountiful gifts so selfishly, the
blessings were removed.
Jerusalem at the Time of Haggai
c. 520 b.c. Haggai prophesied to the people of Jerusalem after
they had returned from Babylon in 538 b.c. and before they
had rebuilt the temple in 515. The city of Jerusalem lay in
ruins, the walls and the temple having been destroyed by the
Babylonians in 586 b.c. Within a year after returning from
Babylon, the people had laid the foundation for the new
temple, but by Haggai’s time they had still not completed it.
Haggai, together with Zechariah, called upon the people to
stop focusing on their own economic well-being and
complete the temple.
After the exile, the Lord is renewing his promises to his people and calls on them to finish
rebuilding the temple so that he might be with them and fulfill his promises to bless the whole
world through them (2:9), particularly through the Messiah from the house of David (2:23)
Outline
1. Introduction: Reluctant Rebuilders (1:1–2)
a. Characters (1:1)
b. Context (1:2)
2. Consider Your Ways: Fruitless Prosperity (1:3–12)
a. Work without satisfaction (1:3–11)
b. General response: obedience and fear (1:12)
3. Promise and Progress (1:13–15a)
a. God’s promise (1:13)
b. Specific response: work begins (1:14–15a)
4. The Former and Latter Glory of This House (1:15b–2:9)
a. Comparing past and present (1:15b–2:3)
b. Acting based on the past (2:4–5)
c. An image of God’s house restored (2:6–9)
5. Consider Your Ways: Holiness and Defilement; Repentance and Blessing (2:10–19)
a. Analogy: holiness and defilement (2:10–14)
b. Consider life before restoration began: you did not turn (2:15–17)
c. Consider life since restoration began: I will bless (2:18–19)
6. Zerubbabel: The Signet Ring (2:20–23)
a. Destruction upon kingdoms (2:20–22)
b. An image of David’s house restored (2:23)
Chapter 1 – Building the Lord’s House
Chapter 1 consist of the the first message of the prophet Haggai.
Delay Dishonors God – 4BC 1175 ‘thus the Israelites declared that they had begun to rebuild, but that
they were broken off in their work because of the hindrances devised by their enemies. These
hindrances, they reasoned, were an indication that it was not the proper time to rebuild. They
declared that the Lord had interposed difficulties to reprove their hot haste. This is why, in a
communication through His prophet, He referred to them not as "my people," but as ‘this people."…
This history will be repeated. There will be religious failures because men do not have faith. When
they look at the things that are seen, impossibilities appear; but God can lead them step by step in the
course He desires them to take. His work will advance only as His servants move forward by faith.”
Misinterpretation hinders Work – 4BC 1175 ‘they [God’s people] were opposed by Smerdis the
usurper. ‘then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased until the
second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia." When Darius came to the throne, he set aside the
work and prohibition of the usurper. But even then the people that should have been the most
interested continued to be indifferent. They misapplied the prophecy given by Inspiration.
They misinterpreted the Word of God, and declared that the time to build had not yet come,
and that until the days were fully accomplished, they would not undertake the work. But while
they left the building of the house of the Lord, the temple in which they could worship God, until the
end of the time specified as the captivity of the Jews had fully come, they built mansions for
themselves (MS 116, 1897).”
This book has 4 messages. And all of these messages has to do with encouraging the people to build
the temple.
Reading
 Prophets and Kings (48-50)
Applications
 “Build the House” (2)
Chapter Outline
 Historical time frame (1)
 Results of them dwelling in their ceiled houses (2-11)
o Sow much (v6) yet no dew, or fruit (v10-11)
 Zerubbabel and the people obey and build the house (12-15)
Historical time frame (1)

VERSE [1] In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month,
came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of
Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word
of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to
Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Joshua was son of the high priest, Josedech (Hag 1:1). This vision takes us back to the first time the
Israelites were allowed to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild. This is the time of king Cyrus (Ezra 1, 2,
3:1-2)
Ezra 3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the
son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings
thereon, as [it is] written in the law of Moses the man of God.
This Jeshua is the same person spoken of in Hag 1:1 but with different spelling. What they did when
they first came out of Babylon was to rebuild the altar of God and offered burnt offerings. What
were burnt offerings for?
Ex 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings,
and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come
unto thee, and I will bless thee.
This was in relation to soliciting God’s blessing and also to acknowledge the worship of the true
God. Darius Hystaspes around 520/519 B.C.
Results of them dwelling in their ceiled houses (2-11)

VERSE [2] Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time
that the Lord’s house should be built. [3] Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet,
saying, [4] Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? [5] Now
therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. [6] Ye have sown much, and bring in
little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but
there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. [7]
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. [8] Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and
build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. [9] Ye looked
for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the
LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. [10]
Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. [11] And I
called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new
wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon
cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
1:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the
LORD’S house should be built.
App: Our church is saying it is not time to build. By us being a part of the ecumenical movement we
have agreed to come together under common truths. So we are coming together but the temple isn’t
being built. By us saying we will not proselytize that means gathering converts into the fold of God.
That is equivalent to building the temple.
What was the political situation of the nations at that time? False Smerdis was on the throne
(Xerxes). The Samaritans took advantage of this and he passed a decree telling the Jews not to build.
But when Darius came to the throne he passed a decree, but the Jews said no it is not time to build.
They had gotten too comfortable. They were just living. They did not go out and spread a
knowledge of the true God which is what they were suppose to do. They were to build the temple
and the temple services were suppose to be used to give a knowledge to the gentiles of the true God.
That was the whole purpose of the sanctuary. That is what we will see in Ezekiel 16:13,14 "renown
went forth among the heathen for thy beauty."
The same is seen today. We are to give a knowledge of the True God through the sanctuary. And
with this knowledge we build the temple, but they are saying don’t build. We are not going out to
proselytize, we are coming together on the same points we can agree on. God says tell my people to
build.
Sermon: Build The House
End time events seen in the church & we need to work now more then ever.
Gathering of the world
Rev 16:13-14 [13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] For they are the
spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,
to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Three unclean spirits gathering the whole world
Gathering of God's people (Church)
Ps 147:2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
Build means to gather God's people
Is 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him,
beside those that are gathered unto him.
Gather other besides (Israel, heathen; Jews, Gentiles; SDA, atheist, apostate protestants, Catholic,
etc.) Note: When it says that Satan is gathering together, he is building a counterfeit temple, a
counterfeit city, and what is that? Babylon. Who are his builders? 3 unclean spirits (sent to whole
world). Who are God's builders? 3 Angels (sent to whole world)
Attitude of builders
Hag 1:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that
the LORD'S house should be built.
Not time to build
Hag 1:4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
Dwell in ceiled houses, indifferent towards the things of God.
Effects of not building
Hag 1:10-11 [10] Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from
her fruit. [11] And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn,
and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon
men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Because God's people will not build they cannot complete the mystery of God. Note: Mystery of God
to Gather
Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery
of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Contrast Mystery of Iniquity is to gather together as one that is why Rev 17:13 it says the 10 horns
have one mind.
Rev 17:13 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a
scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Zech 10:10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and
I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
Gather out of Babylon
Building the house gives glory to God
Hag 1:8, 12 [8] Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening
wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they
shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. [12] ¶ Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine
Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou
hast established them for correction.
By building they Fear and give glory
Rev 14:7 …Fear God and give glory…
They are building the house. In Rev 14:14-20, Jesus comes with sickle the fruit is ready. Haggai puts
it this way. Conclusion
Hag 2:4-7 [4] Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of
Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am
with you, saith the LORD of hosts: [5] According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye
came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. [6] For thus saith the LORD of
hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry
land; [7]And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house
with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
John 21:15-17 [15] ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto
him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17]
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he
said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things;
thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Feed my sheep! Church build my house!
Miscellaneous
Ps 106:47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy
holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
Gather from among the heathen)
Is 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and
gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Gather outcasts of Israel.
EGW Quotes
Be Strong and Work PK 576 The Christian always has a strong helper in the Lord. The way of the
Lord's helping we may not know; but this we do know: He will never fail those who put their trust in
Him. Could Christians realize how many times the Lord has ordered their way, that the purposes of
the enemy concerning them might not be accomplished, they would not stumble along complainingly.
Their faith would be stayed on God, and no trial would have power to move them. They would
acknowledge Him as their wisdom and efficiency, and He would bring to pass that which He desires
to work out through them"
Trials given to be strong PK578 This personal word to Zerubbabel [Hag 2:23] has been left on
record for the encouragement of God's children in every age. God has a purpose in sending trial to His
children. He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end
from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling. All that He brings
upon them in test and trial comes that they may be strong to do and to suffer for Him."
1:3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
1:4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
What does ceiled houses mean? It means a house that has a wooden panel as a wall. It is a cottage.
At that time it was a good house, a high class house Usually the houses that they had were made by
stone, clay, or bricks. Therefore, Lord is saying, “Your house is good and wealthy, but why My house
is desolate?” If you have a good house, how can my temple be laying in waste? Haggai is arousing
people and condemning their life of ease. And then God sends them a famine and drought in the
first message. But they still did not understand and obey. God sends famine and drought, but still
they don’t obey. But later on, Zerubbabel and Joshua arose and obeyed the words of Lord spoken by
Haggai. But later on Zerubbabel and Joshua were aroused and they obeyed. So Haggai and
Zechariah are unique prophets because the leadership of the church and the people listened to
them and obeyed the word of God. And they finished the building of the temple.
(*PO This tells us that in the last days people in the leadership (of the church triumphant) and in
the laity will listen to the prophet and repair the breach. The will finish the work)
1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled
with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it
into a bag with holes.
1:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
1:8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will
be glorified, saith the LORD.
1:9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why?
saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
1:10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
FA: Some people today are not able to put enough food on the table or clothes on their children’s
back because they are not engaged in the work of the Lord, restoring His temple, the church. And
they pray, and pray, Lord give me money, bless this and that, but God is blowing on it because they
will not do the work of the Lord.
GCA: The latter rain will not be poured out on idle individuals. The harvest will not be ripened if we
are not engaged in God’s work. When you combine this with James 5:7 you get a complete picture.
Yes Jesus is waiting for the fruit to be ripe, but more specifically He is waiting for His people to
work so He can pour out the Latter rain so they can be ripened.
1:11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the
new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon
cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
Zerubbabel and the people obey and build the house (12-15)
VERSE [12] Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest,
with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai
the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD. [13]
Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people, saying, I am with
you, saith the LORD. [14] And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel,
governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all
the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
[15] In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the
remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as
the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
1:13 Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people, saying, I am with
you, saith the LORD.
After reproof encouragement came. "I am with you"
1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the
spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and
they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
1:15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
2nd year 6th month and 24th day.He gave the message on the 2nd year 6th month and 1st day. 23 days
later they obeyed. A little over 3 weeks. How would you like to see that. 3 weeks after you preach,
the people put it in practice.
Summary Theme: It opens with exhortations to build the Lord’s house, and it ends with them
building the house. So what is the theme of chapter 1? Building the Lord’s house.
Hag 1:2 …time that the Lord’s house should be built…
Hag 1:4 …house lie waste?
Hag 1:8 ...build the house…
Contextual application: Build the house…I will be glorified. So God is glorified by His house being
built. Rev 14:7 "Fear God and give glory to him" How are they giving glory to Him? By building His
house. This message calls in the gentiles thus building the house of God and by this they are giving
glory to God. That is why in Haggai 1:12 which speaks of them going to build the house, by doing
this they did WHAT? Fear!! They were fearing the Lord, by building the house.
Hag 1:9 …mine house…
Hag 1:14 …did work in the house of the Lord…
Chapter 2 – The Glory of the Lord’s House
In chapter 2 Haggai consoles those who were distressed by the mean appearance of the temple in
comparison with its former beauty, by the assurance that the day of the Lord is near, and that then
the glory of the latter house should be greater than that of the former. We have the same message
that is given in chapter 2. He says be strong. And then they said that the beauty of this house is less
than the first, but yet in still this house will have more glory than the first. How? Because the
Messiah would visit this temple. This is the second message.
Parables of Holy Flesh [v.1-9, 11,12] – 4BC 1176 “In speaking of the building of a house for God, the
prophet Haggai shows in parables what God endorses and what He condemns.[Haggai 2:1-9, 11, 12
quoted.] This is a parable. The sacrifice, spoken of as holy flesh, was a representation of Christ,
who was the foundation of the Jewish economy, and who is ever to be regarded as the One who
makes possible the purification of man from sin (MS 95, 1902).”
Purpose for completing temple – 4BC 1176 “Haggai instructed the people that by heartfelt repentance
and by a speedy completion of the temple, they were to seek to be cleansed from the sin of
disobedience that had led away from God and had delayed the carrying out of the command to arise
and build”
Parable of dead body – Ibid, “In order that the builders of the second temple might make no mistakes,
the Lord plainly instructed them, in the form of a parable, regarding the nature of service acceptable
in His sight. . . . [Haggai 2:10-13 quoted.] A soul corrupted by sin is represented by the figure of a
dead body in a state of putrefaction. All the washings and sprinklings enjoined in the ceremonial law
were lessons in parables, teaching the necessity of a work of regeneration in the inward heart for the
purification of the soul dead in trespasses and sins, and also the necessity of the sanctifying power of
the Holy Spirit [Haggai 2:14 quoted] (RH Dec. 19, 1907).”
The Second Message (1-9)

VERSE [1] In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the
LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, [2] Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of
Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, [3]
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in
your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? [4] Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and
be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith
the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: [5] According to the word that I
covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. [6]
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land; [7] And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. [8] The silver is mine, and
the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. [9] The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of
the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Second house will be more glorious than first. Not outwardly, but because Messiah is going to visit
that temple.
2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the
prophet Haggai, saying,
2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech,
the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
“residue of the people”
Hag 1:14 …remnant of the people…
So remnant means the residue. Now you understand Daniel 7:7.
Dan 7:7 …a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it
devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it….
2:3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in
your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high
priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the
LORD of hosts:
In V.4 “and work” and because they worked God He was able to renew the covenant with them. And
what was that?
2:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth
among you: fear ye not.
“my spirit remainteth among you” – Which implies because they were not working they were
grieving the Holy Spirit and if they would have continued He would have left. By them refusing to
build they were rebelling, and when you rebel you fight against the Holy Spirit.
PK 575 And now, notwithstanding the fact that they had repeatedly "rebelled, and vexed His Holy
Spirit" (Isaiah 63:10), God once more, through the messages of His prophet, was stretching out His
hand to save. As a recognition of their co-operation with His purpose, He was renewing His
covenant that His Spirit should remain among them; and He bade them, "Fear not." "
Side note: This also shows that God was to dwell with His people through His Holy Spirit. To Israel
encamped before Mount Sinai the Lord had declared.
Exo 29:45, 46 [45] I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. [46] And they shall
know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell
among them: I am the Lord their God.
Then she mentions the covenant of the Spirit showing that God was to dwell by His Spirit.
2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the
earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with
glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
There are two other passages that deal with God shaking the heavens, earth, etc.
Isa 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the
wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger."
Joel 3:16-17 [16] The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the
heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of
the children of Israel. [17] So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy
mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Isa 2:19-21 [19] And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear
of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. [20] In that
day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to
worship, to the moles and to the bats; [21] To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the
ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly
the earth.
Speak of shaking the earth at the second coming.
Heb 12:26-28 [26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once
more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. [27] And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the
removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot
be shaken may remain. [28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
Based on these verses it may be speaking about Christ setting up His kingdom on earth. We receive a kingdom
that cannot be moved, while the other kingdoms were shaken to pieces.
2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this
place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Third Message (10-19)

VERSE [10] In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the
word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, [11] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the
priests concerning the law, saying, [12] If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with
his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests
answered and said, No. [13] Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of
these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. [14] Then
answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so
is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean. [15] And now, I pray you,
consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the
LORD: [16] Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but
ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but
twenty. [17] I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your
hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD. [18] Consider now from this day and upward, from
the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s
temple was laid, consider it. [19] Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree,
and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
2:10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the
LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
2:11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
2:12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or
wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
“Holy flesh” – Holy sacrifices and offerings given for the burnt offering, sin offering, or peace offering. Even
though you bring these things, if you have your own filthy lives and practice sins, your offerings will be still
filthy. It says holy flesh. But what is this talking about? It is talking about holy sacrifices. It is not referring to
flesh of human beings. It is talking about the offerings that were given for the sin, burnt, or peace offerings.
Even though you bring these offerings, if you still practice known sin and have a filthy life, your offerings will
be filthy. Have a clean heart, purify your life. This is the third message.
2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And
the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD;
and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
2:15 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone
in the temple of the LORD:
2:16 Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one
came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
“there were but ten…there were but twenty” – It’s expression of the short of harvest; famine and
drought. Because of their filthy lives, God is going to bring famine and drought again. This is the
expression explaining the shortness of the harvest. It didn’t produce like it should have. It means
there would be a drought and famine again because of your unpurified lifestyles. (*PO this is why
the NSL is coming, study).
2:17 I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye
turned not to me, saith the LORD.
2:18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even
from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider it.
2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive
tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
The Fourth Message (20-23)

VERSE [20] And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the
month, saying, [21] Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the
earth; [22] And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the
kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the
horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. [23] In that day,
saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the
LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
God’s judgment toward neighbor heathen nations including Babylon. Verses 20 and on is the fourth
message. Through Haggai God told the people about the judgment that was to fall on the
surrounding heathen nations including Babylon.
2:20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month,
saying,
2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
These are the brief messages of Haggai.
2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the
heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders
shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Ezek 38:20-21 [20] So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the
field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the
earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places
shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. [21] And I will call for a sword against him
throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
Ezekiel also speaking of shaking and swords being turned against brother during the destruction of
the wicked. Battle of Armageddon. Same thing.
2:23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel,
saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah
Introduction
Zechariah means God remembers. In this book God is focusing on remembering Jerusalem.
Zechariah speaks about the future glory of the temple very much.
Zech 6:12-13 [12] And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the
man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the
temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall
sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall
be between them both."
But these things are conditional.
Zech 6:15 And they [that are] far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall
know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently
obey the voice of the LORD your God.
This means that if they obey this future glory will come to literal Israel. The Old Covenant and the
New Covenant is conditional as well. Zechariah had 8 visions.
Chapter 1:8-17 – First vision. This vision is speaking of Israel standing still (they don’t do anything)
and the heathen being very silent. God’s purpose is to arouse His people to rebuild His temple. In
this vision we see the “red horse,” he asked the angel what it meant.
Zech 1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These [are they]
whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
This means that this man who is riding on the red horse is going to and fro throughout Judea. He
was to see if the people were aroused to work for God and build the temple, but they were doing
nothing. They were standing still. The decree came to cause them to cease, and they didn’t do
anything. They returned home to make their own homes, and make vineyards. They lost their zeal
for God, they stood still. There was no reason for the heathen nations around them to accuse,
agitate, and persecute God’s people.
(*PO red horse riding though SDA church to see if we are building the temple Amos 9:11-12, Acts 2,
but we are standing still.)
Par: How come SDA’s are not being persecuted right now? Because we are standing still, we are
compromising; we are not given the straight testimony. We are not building God’s temple
spiritually. Why should they? We are like them. They have no reason. We are like them in our
doctrines, messages, building churches, and our lifestyles. There is no difference between us. We
are like them. Why should we receive persecution?
This is the first vision. All the foreign countries are peaceful and quiet. Why? Because you are
standing still. Arise! Build
Chapter 1:18-21 – Second Vision. It is talking about God’s intention to repair all of the damage that
has been done to His temple.
(*PO Connects with church of Thyatira/Rev 13. And Daniel the sanctuary and the host were trodden
under foot. How would God repair the damage that was done to His sanctuary? Rev 10 Advent
movement. Study! The literal temple was destroyed by heathens. Those heathens were Babylon.
Then the heavenly temple was trodden under foot by Spiritual Babylon, which is the Papacy, and
Christ is repairing the damage even as we speak. But Hazael’s are in the church saying that we have
no heavenly sanctuary, they are trying to destroy the work that has been done by the pioneer’s.)
In this vision God shows him 4 horns. Four horns represent all the four corners of the earth.
Meaning that this will happen on a full scale throughout the land of Judea. (*PO Rev 10 he places His
foot on the sea and earth representing the whole earth.) Then he shows him 4 carpenters. This
means that God is going to send 4 carpenters to rebuild the damaged temple. (*PO 4 carpenters
represent all of those who would restore the sanctuary all over the world. Study!)
Chapter 2 – Third Vision. Summary: Divine presence and blessings in the work of restoration. God is
showing a man with a measuring line in his hand, and he is measuring all of the damage that has
been done so he can begin to rebuild.
Zech 2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the
midst of her.
He is encouraging them that His presence will be with them in the work of restoration.
Chapter 3 (most famous vision) – Fourth Vision. Joshua and the Angel. Summary: Protection for
Israel from God against the archenemy Satan, and pardon of their sins.
Chapter 4 – Fifth Vision. Summary: Transformation of Character by God’s Spirit.
Chapter 5:1-4 – Sixth Vision. Summary: The process by which sin is to be rooted out from among
God’s people. (*PO In chapter 4 we see that transformation of Character only comes through God’s
Spirit. but in chapter 5:1-4 it explains the process of how the Spirit uproots sin from among us.
Study!) This explains the flying scroll that goes through the homes of God’s people and judges them
and takes the sinners out.
Chapter 5:5-11 – Seventh Vision. Summary: The complete and final removal of sin and sinners from
among the chosen nation.
Chapter 6 – Eighth Vision. Summary: God’s supervision over the affairs of the earth. God was
looking at the neighboring countries. It speaks of the future glory the branch.The conditional
promise and covenant. God is in control over everything that goes on in the nation and in the
church.
PK 576-577 the earnest pleadings and the encouragements given through Haggai were emphasized
and added to by Zechariah, whom God raised up to stand by his side in urging Israel to carry out
the command to arise and build. Zechariah’s first message was an assurance that God’s word
never fails and a promise of blessing to those who would hearken to the sure word of
prophecy”
Just by looking at this quotation we can see the end time application. Zechariah’s prophecies are
urging God’s people to arose and built the temple. So automatically we are looking at prophecies in
reference to God’s people building up the church from the time of the rejection of the Jews until the
work is completed by the remnant church in the last days.
PK 580 two months after Haggai’s last recorded message was delivered, Zechariah had a series of
visions regarding the work of God in the earth. These messages, given in the form of parables and
symbols…
From this we can see that these parables and symbols describe God’s work in the earth. For them it
was the work during the reign of Darius, so the work of the Lord in the then known world. But this
applies more to the work of the Lord in the last days.
Haggai & Zechariah’s Message – Haggai’s messages were specifically related to the rebuilding of
the temple, he spoke to the people concerning the temple alone because this was the work that the
Lord required at their hands. Zechariah spoke words of encouragement concerning the temple,
upon which the people in obedience to Haggai had resumed their labor; but he spoke much more
fully concerning the restoration of Jerusalem itself. And it is to be observed that he throws all this
encouragement concerning Jerusalem into the future.
Zerubbabel and Zechariah
YRP 272 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the
Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God
which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. Ezra 5:1, 2.
In rebuilding the house of the Lord, Zerubbabel had been encompassed with manifold difficulties.
In former years, adversaries had "weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in
building," "and made them to cease by force and power" (Ezra 4:4, 23). But the Lord interposed in
behalf of the faithful builders, and now He speaks through His prophet, Zechariah, to Zerubbabel,
saying, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great
mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone
thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it" (Zech. 4:6, 7).
Throughout the history of God’s people, great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable,
have loomed up before those who were advancing in the opening providences of God. Such obstacles
to progress are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When [we are] hedged about on every side,
this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Holy Spirit. We are not to walk
in our own strength, but in the strength of the Lord God of Israel. It is folly to trust in man or to make
flesh our arm. We must trust in Jehovah; for in Him is everlasting strength. The One who, in response
to words and deeds of faith, made the way plain before His servant Zerubbabel, is able to clear away
every obstacle devised by Satan to hinder the progress of His cause. Through the exercise of
persevering faith, every mountain of difficulty may be removed.
Sometimes God trains His workers by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is
His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulty. He seeks to inspire them with a determination
to make every apparent failure prove a success.--Review and Herald, Jan. 16, 1908.
Chap. 189 - Revelations of the Judgment
UL 203 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for
this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13. In the day when everyone shall be rewarded according as
his work has been, how will transgressors appear in their own sight as for a few moments they are
permitted to see the record of their life as they have chosen to make it, regardless of the law which
through the eternal ages will govern the universe? They will then see what God desired them to do.
They will realize that they should have used their blood-bought privileges in behalf of truth and
righteousness. They will see that instead of placing their talents and influence on the side of
rebellion, thus strengthening the forces of the enemy, they should have devoted their powers to
being and doing good. . . .
In the day of judgment men will see what they might have become through the power of Christ.
They will see the robbery that they have practiced toward God. They will realize that they have
apostatized from their Creator. They will see the good they might have done but did not do They
utterly refused to be made better. The efforts put forth in their behalf were in vain. They knew the
claims of God, but they refused to comply with the conditions laid down in His Word. By their own
choice they were united with demons. The power given them to use in God’s service they used in the
service of self. They made self their god, refusing to submit to any other control. They deceived
themselves, and made themselves contemptible in the sight of God. . . .
In the day of judgment all this opens up before the impenitent. Scene after scene passes before
them. As plainly as in the light of the noonday sun, they all see what they might have been had they
cooperated with God instead of opposing Him. The picture cannot be changed. Their cases are
forever decided. They must perish with the one whose ways and works they followed. A flash of light
will come to all lost souls. They will see clearly the mystery of godliness, which during their lifetime
they despised and hated. And the fallen angels, endowed with higher intelligence than man, will
realize what they have done in using their powers to lead human beings to choose deception and
falsehood. All who have united with the deceiver, all who have learned his ways and practiced his
deceptions, must perish with him. . . . The Lord Jesus looks pityingly upon them and says, "Depart." At
that time Zechariah, chapters 3 and 4, will be understood.--Manuscript 37, July 8, 1900, ‘the
Revelations of the Judgment."
Prophets Spoke for Us – 3SM 388 Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our
salvation. Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their
prophesying is in force for us.
Study Old Testament - Ed 191 Every part of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.
The Old Testament no less than the New should receive attention. As we study the Old Testament we
shall find living springs bubbling up where the careless reader discerns only a desert..1
Fountain Opened in the Church – TM 450 God calls His people to elevate the standard…The time
has come for earnest and powerful efforts to rid the church of the slime and filth which is tarnishing
her purity. The church of Christ is called to be a holy, powerful people, a name and praise in all the
earth. There has been opened a fountain for Judah and Jerusalem, to wash from all
uncleanness and sin. There is an astonishing backsliding with God’s people, to whom has been
entrusted sacred, holy truth. Her faith, her service, her works, must be compared to what they would
have been if her course had been continually onward and upward, according to grace and holy truth
given her.
In this balance of the sanctuary, the individual members of the Christian church will be weighed;
and if her moral character and spiritual state do not correspond to the benefits and blessings
conferred upon her, she will be found wanting. If the fruit does not appear, then God is not glorified.
Zechariah to be studied with – RH, February 4, 1902 The prophecy of Malachi was brought before
them in connection with Daniel, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah. The teaching of these books was
carefully investigated. The building of the temple, and the temple service, were considered. There
was close searching of the Scriptures in regard to the sacred character of all that appertained to the
temple service. Through the prophets, God has given a delineation of what will come to pass in
the last days of this earth’s history; and the Jewish economy is full of instruction for us"
Branch to build the temple – AA 595 Upon the foundation that Christ Himself had laid, the apostles
built the church of God. In the Scriptures the figure of the erection of a temple is frequently used
to illustrate the building of the church. Zechariah refers to Christ as the Branch that should
build the temple of the Lord. He speaks of the Gentiles as helping in the work: ‘they that are far off
shall come and build in the temple of the Lord;" and Isaiah declares, ‘the sons of strangers shall build
up thy walls." Zechariah 6:12, 15; Isaiah 60:10. Writing of the building of this temple, Peter says, [1
Peter 2:4,5 quoted] In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the apostles labored, bringing
out stones to lay upon the foundation. In his letter to the believers at Ephesus, Paul said, [Eph 2:19-
22 1 Corin 3:10-13 quoted]"
All books meet and end – AA 585 In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here
is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation.”
LDE 114-115 As we near the close of this earth’s history, we shall have the scenes of the San
Francisco calamity repeated in other places. . . . These things make me feel very solemn because I
know that the judgment day is right upon us. The judgments that have already come are a warning,
but not the finishing, of the punishment that will come on wicked cities. . . .
[Hab. 2:1-20; Zeph. 1:1-3:20; Zech. 1:1-4:14; Mal. 1:1-4, quoted.] These scenes will soon be
witnessed, just as they are clearly described. I present these wonderful statements from the
Scriptures for the consideration of everyone. The prophecies recorded in the Old Testament are
the word of the Lord for the last days, and will be fulfilled as surely as we have seen the
desolation of San Francisco.--Letter 154, May 26, 1906.
I am bidden to declare the message that cities full of transgression, and sinful in the extreme, will
be destroyed by earthquakes, by fire, by flood.--Ev 27 (April 27, 1906). All the warnings of Christ
regarding the events that will occur near the close of this earth’s history are now being fulfilled in our
large cities. God is permitting these things to be brought to light that he who runs may read. The city
of San Francisco is a sample of what the whole world is becoming. The wicked bribery, the
misappropriation of means, the fraudulent transactions among men who have power to release the
guilty and condemn the innocent--all this iniquity is filling other large cities of the earth and is
making the world as it was in the days that were before the Flood.--Letter 230, 1907.
PK 573 Such were the conditions existing during the early part of the reign of Darius Hystaspes.
Spiritually as well as temporally, the Israelites were in a pitiable state. So long had they murmured
and doubted; so long had they chosen to make personal interests first, while viewing with apathy the
Lord’s temple in ruins, that many had lost sight of God’s purpose in restoring them to Judea; and
these were saying, ‘the time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built."
Haggai 1:2.
But even this dark hour was not without hope for those whose trust was in God. The prophets
Haggai and Zechariah were raised up to meet the crisis. In stirring testimonies these appointed
messengers revealed to the people the cause of their troubles. The lack of temporal prosperity was
the result of a neglect to put God’s interests first, the prophets declared. Had the Israelites honored
God, had they shown Him due respect and courtesy, by making the building of His house their first
work, they would have invited His presence and blessing.
PK 576 The earnest pleadings and the encouragements given through Haggai were emphasized and
added to by Zechariah, whom God raised up to stand by his side in urging Israel to carry out the
command to arise and build. Zechariah’s first message was an assurance that God’s word never fails
and a promise of blessing to those who would hearken to the sure word of prophecy.
With fields lying waste, with their scant store of provisions rapidly failing, and surrounded as they
were by unfriendly peoples, the Israelites nevertheless moved forward by faith in response to the call
of God’s messengers, and labored diligently to restore the ruined temple. It was a work requiring firm
reliance upon God. As the people endeavored to do their part, and sought for a renewal of God’s grace
in heart and life, message after message was given them through Haggai and Zechariah, with
assurances that their faith would be richly rewarded and that the word of God concerning the
future glory of the temple whose walls they were rearing would not fail. In this very building
would appear, in the fullness of time, the Desire of all nations as the Teacher and Saviour of
mankind.
PK 579 For months before this decree was made, the Israelites had kept on working by faith, the
prophets of God still helping them by means of timely messages, through which the divine purpose
for Israel was kept before the workers. Two months after Haggai’s last recorded message was
delivered, Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of God in the earth. These
messages, given in the form of parables and symbols, came at a time of great uncertainty and
anxiety, and were of peculiar significance to the men who were advancing in the name of the
God of Israel. It seemed to the leaders as if the permission granted the Jews to rebuild was
about to be withdrawn; the future appeared very dark. God saw that His people were in need
of being sustained and cheered by a revelation of His infinite compassion and love.
PK 580-581 In vision Zechariah heard the angel of the Lord inquiring, "O Lord of hosts, how long
wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which Thou hast had
indignation these threescore and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me,"
Zechariah declared, "with good words and comfortable words. ‘so the angel that communed with me
said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion
with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a
little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned
to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, . . . and a line shall be stretched forth upon
Jerusalem." Zechariah 1:12-16. The prophet was now directed to predict, ‘thus saith the Lord of
hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion,
and shall yet choose Jerusalem." Verse 17.
Zechariah then saw the powers that had ‘scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem," symbolized by
four horns. Immediately afterward he saw four carpenters, representing the agencies used by the
Lord in restoring His people and the house of His worship. See verses 18-21. "I lifted up mine eyes
again," Zechariah said, "and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I,
Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof,
and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another
angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall
be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord,
will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." Zechariah 2:1-5.
God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt; the vision of the measuring of the city was an
assurance that He would give comfort and strength to His afflicted ones, and fulfill to them the
promises of His everlasting covenant. His protecting care, He declared, would be like "a wall of fire
round about;" and through them His glory would be revealed to all the sons of men. That which He
was accomplishing for His people was to be known in all the earth. "Cry out and shout, thou
inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Isaiah 12:6.
AA 595 Upon the foundation that Christ Himself had laid, the apostles built the church of God. In the
Scriptures the figure of the erection of a temple is frequently used to illustrate the building of the
church. Zechariah refers to Christ as the Branch that should build the temple of the Lord. He speaks
of the Gentiles as helping in the work: ‘they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the
Lord;" and Isaiah declares, ‘the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls." Zechariah 6:12, 15; Isaiah
60:10.
COL 166-169 In the prophecy of Zechariah is brought to view Satan’s accusing work, and the work
of Christ in resisting the adversary of His people. The prophet says, "He showed me Joshua the high
priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And
the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem
rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments,
and stood before the angel." Zech. 3:1-3. The people of God are here represented as a criminal on
trial. Joshua, as high priest, is seeking for a blessing for his people, who are in great affliction. While
he is pleading before God, Satan is standing at his right hand as his adversary. He is accusing the
children of God, and making their case appear as desperate as possible. He presents before the Lord
their evil doings and their defects. He shows their faults and failures, hoping they will appear of such
a character in the eyes of Christ that He will render them no help in their great need. Joshua, as the
representative of God’s people, stands under condemnation, clothed with filthy garments. Aware of
the sins of his people, he is weighed down with discouragement. Satan is pressing upon his soul a
sense of guiltiness that makes him feel almost hopeless. Yet there he stands as a suppliant, with Satan
arrayed against him.
The work of Satan as an accuser began in heaven. This has been his work on earth ever since man’s
fall, and it will be his work in a special sense as we approach nearer to the close of this world’s
history. As he sees that his time is short, he will work with greater earnestness to deceive and
destroy. He is angry when he sees a people on the earth who, even in their weakness and sinfulness,
have respect to the law of Jehovah. He is determined that they shall not obey God. He delights in their
unworthiness, and has devices prepared for every soul, that all may be ensnared and separated from
God. He seeks to accuse and condemn God and all who strive to carry out His purposes in this world
in mercy and love, in compassion and forgiveness.
Every manifestation of God’s power for His people arouses the enmity of Satan. Every time God
works in their behalf, Satan with his angels works with renewed vigor to compass their ruin. He is
jealous of all who make Christ their strength. His object is to instigate evil, and when he has
succeeded, throw all the blame upon the tempted ones. He points to their filthy garments, their
defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness
to Christ, which have dishonored their Redeemer. All this he urges as an argument proving his right
to work his will in their destruction. He endeavors to affright their souls with the thought that their
case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement can never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy
their faith that they will yield fully to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God. The
Lord’s people cannot of themselves answer the charges of Satan. As they look to themselves they are
ready to despair. But they appeal to the divine Advocate. They plead the merits of the Redeemer. God
can be "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Rom. 3:26. With confidence the Lord’s
children cry unto Him to silence the accusations of Satan, and bring to naught his devices. "Do me
justice of mine adversary," they pray; and with the mighty argument of the cross, Christ silences the
bold accuser.
‘the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem
rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" When Satan seeks to cover the people of God
with blackness, and ruin them, Christ interposes. Although they have sinned, Christ has taken the
guilt of their sins upon His own soul. He has snatched the race as a brand from the fire. By His human
nature He is linked with man, while through His divine nature He is one with the infinite God. Help is
brought within the reach of perishing souls. The adversary is rebuked. "Now Joshua was clothed with
filthy garments, and stood before the angel: and he answered and spake unto those that stood before
him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused
thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set
a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments."
Then with the authority of the Lord of hosts the angel made a solemn pledge to Joshua, the
representative of God’s people: "If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then
thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by"--even among the angels that surround the throne of God. (Zech. 3:3-7.)
Notwithstanding the defects of the people of God, Christ does not turn away from the objects of His
care. He has the power to change their raiment. He removes the filthy garments, He places upon the
repenting, believing ones His own robe of righteousness, and writes pardon against their names on
the records of heaven. He confesses them as His before the heavenly universe. Satan their adversary
is shown to be an accuser and deceiver. God will do justice for His own elect.
COL 206 Your heavenly Father will take from you the garments defiled by sin. In the beautiful
parabolic prophecy of Zechariah, the high priest Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garments before
the angel of the Lord, represents the sinner. And the word is spoken by the Lord, ‘take away the filthy
garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and
I will clothe thee with change of raiment. . . . So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him
with garments." Zech. 3:4, 5. Even so God will clothe you with ‘the garments of salvation," and cover
you with ‘the robe of righteousness." Isa. 61:10. ‘though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be
as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." Ps. 68:13. He will bring
you into His banqueting house, and His banner over you shall be love. (Cant. 2:4) "If thou wilt walk in
My ways," He declares, "I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by"--even among the
holy angels that surround His throne. (Zech. 3:7.)
COL 406 The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their
Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word
of God. The psalmist says, ‘thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may path." Ps. 119:105.
The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit is represented in the prophecy of Zechariah. ‘the
angel that talked with me came again," he says, "and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his
sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of
gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps,
which are upon the top thereof; and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the
other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying,
What are these, my lord? . . . Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the
Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. . .
. And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two
golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two anointed
ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Zech. 4:1-14.
COL 408 From the two olive trees the golden oil was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl
of the candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy
ones that stand in God’s presence His Spirit is imparted to the human instrumentalities who are
consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate to God’s people
that heavenly grace which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. "Not by
might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6. In the parable, all the ten
virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen
no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have
a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently
expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried;
and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are
unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.
Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied
by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the
commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character
will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish
truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.
COL 411 The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the
truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have
not yielded themselves to the Holy SpirIt’s working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus,
and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground
hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence
is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man’s heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in
him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a
superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held
communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to
God degenerates into a form. ‘they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as
My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much
love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness." Eze. 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this
will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ’s second coming. He says, "In the
last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; . . . lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
This is the class that in time of peril are found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into
security, and dream not of danger. When startled from their lethargy, they discern their destitution,
and entreat others to supply their lack; but in spiritual things no man can make up another’s
deficiency. The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been
heralded, "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev.
22:17. But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the
Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the SpirIt’s
working. ‘though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it [the land], as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall
deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness." Eze.
14:20.
ChS 111 Why do we not become enthused with the Spirit of Christ? Why are we so little moved by
the pitiful cries of a suffering world? Do we consider our exalted privilege of adding a star to Christ’s
crown--a soul cut loose from the chains with which Satan has bound him, a soul saved in the kingdom
of God? The church must realize its obligation to carry the gospel of present truth to every creature. I
entreat of you to read the third and fourth chapters of Zechariah. If these chapters are understood, if
they are received, a work will be done for those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, a
work that means to the church, "Go forward and upward."--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 296.
CH 274 As the chosen people of God, we cannot copy the habits, aims, practices, or fashions of the
world. We are not left in darkness, to pattern after worldly models and to depend on outward
appearance for success. The Lord has told us whence comes our strength. ‘this is the word of the Lord
unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6. As the Lord sees fit He imparts, to those who keep His way, power that enables them
to exert a strong influence for good. On God they are dependent, and to Him they must give an
account of the way in which they use the talents He has entrusted to them. They are to realize that
they are God’s stewards and are to seek to magnify His name.
CS 261 It is dishonoring to God for our churches to be burdened with debt. This state of things need
not exist. It shows wrong management from beginning to end, and it is a dishonor to the God of
heaven. Read and study prayerfully the fourth chapter of Zechariah. Then read the first chapter of
Haggai, and see if this representation does not apply to you. While you have thought much of your
own selves, of your own selfish interests, you have either neglected to arise and build, or have built
on hired money, and have not made donations to free the church buildings from debt. Will you
consider what it is your duty to do? Year after year passes by, and very little sacrifice is made to
lessen the debt. The interest swallows up the means that should be used to pay off the principal.
DA 572 Many Pharisees witnessed the scene, and, burning with envy and malice, sought to turn the
current of popular feeling. With all their authority they tried to silence the people; but their appeals
and threats only increased the enthusiasm. They feared that this multitude, in the strength of their
numbers, would make Jesus king. As a last resort they pressed through the crowd to where the
Saviour was, and accosted Him with reproving and threatening words: "Master, rebuke Thy
disciples." They declared that such noisy demonstrations were unlawful, and would not be permitted
by the authorities. But they were silenced by the reply of Jesus, "I tell you that, if these should hold
their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." That scene of triumph was of God’s own
appointing. It had been foretold by the prophet, and man was powerless to turn aside God’s purpose.
Had men failed to carry out His plan, He would have given a voice to the inanimate stones, and they
would have hailed His Son with acclamations of praise. As the silenced Pharisees drew back, the
words of Zechariah were taken up by hundreds of voices: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout,
O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly,
and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.".3
DA 580 The triumphal ride of Christ into Jerusalem was the dim foreshadowing of His coming in the
clouds of heaven with power and glory, amid the triumph of angels and the rejoicing of the saints.
Then will be fulfilled the words of Christ to the priests and Pharisees: "Ye shall not see Me
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matt. 23:39. In
prophetic vision Zechariah was shown that day of final triumph; and he beheld also the doom of
those who at the first advent had rejected Christ: ‘they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced,
and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as
one that is in bitterness for his first-born." Zech. 12:10. This scene Christ foresaw when He beheld the
city and wept over it. In the temporal ruin of Jerusalem He saw the final destruction of that people
who were guilty of the blood of the Son of God.
Ed 144 "I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. . . . This is the curse
that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for everyone that stealeth shall be cut off as on this
side according to it; and everyone that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will
bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house
of him that sweareth falsely by My name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall
consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof." Zechariah 5:1-4. Against every evildoer
God’s law utters condemnation. He may disregard that voice, he may seek to drown its warning, but
in vain. It follows him. It makes itself heard. It destroys his peace. If unheeded, it pursues him to the
grave. It bears witness against him at the judgement. A quenchless fire, it consumes at last soul and
body.
Ev 209 Very Cheap Fodder.--There are men who stand in the pulpits as shepherds, professing to feed
the flock, while the sheep are starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn-out discourses,
largely made up of the relation of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not touched. The
feelings of some may be moved, they may shed a few tears, but their hearts are not broken. The Lord
Jesus has been present when they have been presenting that which was called sermons, but their
words were destitute of the dew and rain of heaven. They evidenced that the anointed ones
described by Zechariah (see chapter 4) had not ministered to them that they might minister to
others. When the anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, the golden oil flows out
of themselves into the golden bowls, to flow forth into the lamps, the churches. This is the work of
every true, devoted servant of the living God. The Lord God of heaven cannot approve much that is
brought into the pulpit by those who are professedly speaking the word of the Lord. They do not
inculcate ideas that will be a blessing to those who hear. There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed
before the people.-- Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 336, 337. (1896).
FLB 129 Your heavenly Father will take from you the garments defiled by sin. In the beautiful
parabolic prophecy of Zechariah, the high priest Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garments before
the angel of the Lord, represents the sinner. And the word is spoken by the Lord, ‘take away the filthy
garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and
I will clothe thee with change of raiment. . . . So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him
with garments." Zech. 3:4, 5. Even so God will clothe you with ‘the garments of salvation," and cover
you with ‘the robe of righteousness." Isa. 61:10. . . "If thou wilt walk in my ways," He declares, "I will
give thee places to walk among these that stand by" (Zech. 3:7)--even among the holy angels that
surround His throne.
GW 325 We read in the prophecy of Zechariah that when Satan with all his synagogue stood up to
resist the prayers of Joshua, the high priest, and to resist Christ, who was about to show decided
favor to Joshua, the Lord said to Satan, ‘the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen
Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" [ZECH. 3:2.].The course of Christ
in dealing with even the adversary of souls should be an example to us in all our intercourse with
others,--never to bring a railing accusation against any; much less should we employ harshness or
severity toward those who may be as anxious to know the right way as we are ourselves.
GC88 415 The work of Christ as man’s intercessor is presented in that beautiful prophecy of
Zechariah concerning him "whose name is The Branch." Says the prophet: "He shall build the temple
of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his [the Father’s] throne; and he
shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." [ZECH. 6:13.]
2MCP 453 Satan Presses a Sense of Guiltiness.--The people of God are here [Zechariah, chapter 3]
represented as a criminal on trial. Joshua, as high priest, is seeking for a blessing for his people, who
are in great affliction. While he is pleading before God, Satan is standing at his right hand as his
adversary. He is accusing the children of God and making their case appear as desperate as possible.
He presents before the Lord their evil doings and their defects. He shows their faults and failures,
hoping they will appear of such a character in the eyes of Christ that He will render them no help in
their great need. Joshua, as the representative of God’s people, stands under condemnation, clothed
with filthy garments. Aware of the sins of his people, he is weighed down with discouragement. Satan
is pressing upon his soul a sense of guiltiness that makes him feel almost hopeless. Yet there he
stands as a suppliant, with Satan arrayed against him.--COL 166, 167 (1900).
PP 63 Before the Father He pleaded in the sinner’s behalf, while the host of heaven awaited the
result with an intensity of interest that words cannot express. Long continued was that mysterious
communing--’the counsel of peace" (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men. The plan of salvation
had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world" (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son
to die for the guilty race. But "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Oh, the mystery
of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the depths of that
love which "passeth knowledge"? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the
mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and adore.
PK Chap 45-48
PK 704 These promises were conditional on obedience. The sins that had characterized the Israelites
prior to the captivity, were not to be repeated. "Execute true judgment," the Lord exhorted those who
were engaged in rebuilding; "and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: and
oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil
against his brother." ‘speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and
peace in your gates." Zechariah 7:9, 10; 8:16.
1SM 57 Tell them to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. Place His Word before them.
There will be those who will misinterpret and misrepresent. Their eyes have been blinded, and they
set forth the figures and interpretations that Satan has worked out for them, and an entirely wrong
meaning will be placed upon the words that Sister White has spoken. Satan is just as verily claiming
to be Christ’s child as did Judas, who was on the accusing side. They have educated themselves in
Satan’s school of misstating. A description of them is given in the third chapter of Zechariah. Nothing
in the world is so dear to God as His church. Satan has worked upon human minds, and will continue
to betray sacred trust in a spurious way.
6T 296-297 Why do we not become enthused with the Spirit of Christ? Why are we so little moved
by the pitiful cries of a suffering world? Do we consider our exalted privilege of adding a star to
Christ’s crown--a soul cut loose from the chains with which Satan has bound him, a soul saved in the
kingdom of God? The church must realize its obligation to carry the gospel of present truth to every
creature. I entreat of you to read the third and fourth chapters of Zechariah. If these chapters are
understood, if they are received, a work will be done for those who are hungering and thirsting for
righteousness, a work that means to the church: "Go forward and upward." ‘thus saith the Lord of
hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My
house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."
Revelation 3:21; Zechariah 3:7. If you do not co-operate with the Lord by giving yourself to Him and
doing His service you will be judged unfit to be a subject of His pure, heavenly kingdom.
6T 460-461 "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of
hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you
imagine evil against his brother in your heart." Zechariah 7:8-10. This is the word of the Lord to us
also. I cannot think that the closing part of this chapter will be your experience: "But they refused to
hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they
made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord
of hosts hath sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of
hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I
would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations
whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them that no man passed through nor
returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate." Verses 11-14. Brethren, in your dealings with the
Lord’s household, "follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify
[build up] another." Romans 14:19. Speak no words of censure. Lay no blame on this one or that one.
There is need now of the help that all can bring. Seek to heal the breach that has been made. Do it
cheerfully. Do it nobly. Come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
Redeem at once the institution that is in so great peril. Let all who realize the nearness of the Lord’s
coming act their faith. When we see one of God’s instrumentalities languishing, let those who have
heart and soul in the work manifest their interest. Let those in responsible positions set a right
example. Every noble Christian instinct should lead them to plan and work with far greater
earnestness for the relief of the Lord’s institution than they would for the saving of their own
property. Let all try to do something. Look over your affairs, and see what you can do to co-operate
with God in this work.
8T 269 Wonderful statement! The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy
the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus
that God and Christ are one. The relation between the Father and the Son, and the personality of
both, are made plain in this scripture also:
‘thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying,

Behold, the man whose name is the Branch:
And He shall grow up out of His place;
And He shall build the temple of Jehovah; . . .
And He shall bear the glory,
And shall sit and rule upon His throne;
And He shall be a priest upon His throne;
And the counsel of peace shall be between Them both."
Zechariah 6:12, 13, A. R. V.
TM 188 Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out
of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the sanctuary
are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God’s ministers are to be constantly
supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts." God’s servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of
heart, by holiness. It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. If they follow lax,
loose principles, their example is quoted by those who are doing wrong as a vindication of their
course. The whole synagogue of Satan is watching for defects in the lives of God’s representatives,
and the most is made of every defect.-- Review and Herald, December 22, 1904.
TM 336 There are men who stand in the pulpits as shepherds, professing to feed the flock, while the
sheep are starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn-out discourses, largely made up of the
relation of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not touched. The feelings of some may be
moved, they may shed a few tears, but their hearts are not broken. The Lord Jesus has been present
when they have been presenting that which was called sermons, but their words were destitute of
the dew and rain of heaven. They evidenced that the anointed ones described by Zechariah (see
chapter 4) had not ministered to them that they might minister to others. When the anointed ones
empty themselves through the golden pipes, the golden oil flows out of themselves into the golden
bowls, to flow forth into the lamps, the churches. This is the work of every true, devoted servant of
the living God. The Lord God of heaven cannot approve much that is brought into the pulpit by those
who are professedly speaking the word of the Lord. They do not inculcate ideas that will be a blessing
to those who hear. There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed before the people.
TM 509-512 The continued communication of the Holy Spirit to the church is represented by the
prophet Zechariah under another figure, which contains a wonderful lesson of encouragement for us.
The prophet says: ‘the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is
wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a
candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to
the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of
the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked
with me, saying, What are these, my lord? . . . Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is
the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the
Lord of hosts. . . . And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which
through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the
two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
From the two olive trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the
candlestick and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones
that stand in God’s presence, His Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated
to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s
people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s presence. As the olive trees empty
themselves into the golden pipes, so the heavenly messengers seek to communicate all that they
receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive
the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it. Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church
becomes a light bearer in the world. TM
This is the work that the Lord would have every soul prepared to do at this time, when the four
angels are holding the four winds, that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed in
their foreheads. There is no time now for self-pleasing. The lamps of the soul must be trimmed. They
must be supplied with the oil of grace. Every precaution must be taken to prevent spiritual
declension, lest the great day of the Lord overtake us as a thief in the night. Every witness for God is
now to work intelligently in the lines which God has appointed. We should daily obtain a deep and
living experience in the work of perfecting Christian character. We should daily receive the holy oil,
that we may impart to others. All may be light bearers to the world if they will. We are to sink self out
of sight in Jesus. We are to receive the word of the Lord in counsel and instruction, and gladly
communicate it. There is now need of much prayer. Christ commands, "Pray without ceasing;" that is,
keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency.
We may have long followed the narrow path, but it is not safe to take this as proof that we shall
follow it to the end. If we have walked with God in fellowship of the Spirit, it is because we have
sought Him daily by faith. From the two olive trees the golden oil flowing through the golden pipes
has been communicated to us. But those who do not cultivate the spirit and habit of prayer cannot
expect to receive the golden oil of goodness, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love.
Everyone is to keep himself separate from the world, which is full of iniquity. We are not to walk
with God for a time, and then part from His company and walk in the sparks of our own kindling.
There must be a firm continuance, a perseverance in acts of faith. We are to praise God; to show forth
His glory in a righteous character. No one of us will gain the victory without persevering, untiring
effort, proportionate to the value of the object which we seek, even eternal life. The dispensation in
which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for His
blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion. To us is committed the arduous, but happy,
glorious work of revealing Christ to those who are in darkness. We are called to proclaim the special
truths for this time. For all this the outpouring of the Spirit is essential. We should pray for it. The
Lord expects us to ask Him. We have not been wholehearted in this work.
What can I say to my brethren in the name of the Lord? What proportion of our efforts has been
made in accordance with the light the Lord has been pleased to give? We cannot depend upon form
or external machinery. What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. "Not by
might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Pray without ceasing, and watch by
working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter
rain, when the Lord will give largely of His Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit. How
shall we follow Him to learn of Him who is our Teacher? We can search His word, and become
acquainted with His life and works. His words we are to receive as bread for our souls. In every
sphere where man shall be placed, the Lord Jesus has left us His footprints. We do well to follow Him.
The Spirit by which He spake, we must cherish; we are to present the truth as it is in Jesus. We are to
follow Him especially in heart purity, in love. Self must be hid with Christ in God; then when Christ,
who is our life, shall appear, we also shall appear with Him in glory.-- Special Testimonies to
Ministers and Workers (Series A, No. 9, 1897), page 58.
GCB, April 23, 1901 We read in Zechariah, "He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before
the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto him,
The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee. Is not this a
brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the
angel."
Joshua represents the people of God. When Satan accused him, the Lord rebuked him, and spoke to
those that stood before him, saying, ‘take away the filthy garment from him, and unto him he said,
Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment.
And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed
him with garments, and the angel of the Lord stood by." Satan tries to bring reproach against those
who are trying to serve and honor God. He presents them in a questionable light, as those who are
clothed with filthy garments. God says, ‘take away the filthy garments. You have no right to put them
upon them. Take them away. My people may have imperfections of character. They may fail in their
endeavors, but if they repent, I will forgive them." This word of assurance is given to all who have
faith in God. Receive this wonderful promise. It is not a human being who is speaking. ‘thus saith the
Lord of hosts, If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt judge my
house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."
NYI, February 7, 1906 The Spirit who asked Zechariah, "What seest thou?" to which he answered, "I
see a flying roll," also caused an angel to fly in the midst of heaven, "having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him [let no glory be given to erring, sinful men];
for the hour of his judgment is come." Many indeed will not understand, but will stumble at the
words contained in the roll. Ellen G. White. Sanitarium, Cal., Dec. 4, 1905.
PUR, December 8, 1904 There is comfort and encouragement for us in the scene described in the
third chapter of Zechariah. We read: "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the
angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan,
The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee; is not this a
brand plucked out of the fire?
RH, August 6, 1889 The prophet Zechariah presents a scene before us that reveals the condition of
the sinner, and shows the resistance of Satan against the work that Christ would do for his repenting
children. The prophet says, "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of
the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord
rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand
plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And
he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from
him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair
miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. And the
angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my
ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my
courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."
RH, September 22, 1896 The third chapter of Zechariah contains truths that can be dwelt upon with
benefit. There are lessons that are profitable for all. Here are represented the people of God, as it
were a criminal on trial. Joshua, as high priest, is seeking for a blessing for the people, who are in
great affliction. While he is thus pleading before God, Satan is standing at his right hand as his
adversary. He is an accuser of the children of God, and is making the case of Israel appear as
desperate as possible. He presents before the Lord their evil doings and defects. He shows their faults
and failures, with the hope that they will appear of such a character in the eyes of Christ that he will
render them no help in their great need. Joshua, as representative of God’s people, stands under
condemnation, clothed with filthy garments. Aware of the imperfections of Israel, he is weighed
down with discouragement. Satan is pressing upon his soul a sense of guiltiness that makes him feel
almost hopeless. Yet he stands there as a suppliant, with Satan arrayed against him.
The continual communication of the Holy Spirit to the church is represented by the prophet
Zechariah under another figure, which contains a wonderful lesson of encouragement for us. The
prophet says: ‘the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out
of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all
of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven
lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me,
saying, What are these, my Lord? . . . Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of
the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of
Hosts. . . . And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through
the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two
anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
From the two olive-trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the
candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones
that stand in God’s presence, his Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated
to his service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s
people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s presence. As the olive-trees empty
becomes a light-bearer in the world.
This is the work that the Lord would have every soul prepared to do at this time, when the four
angels are holding the four winds, that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed in
their foreheads. There is no time now for self-pleasing. The lamps of the soul must be trimmed. They
must be supplied with the oil of grace. Every precaution must be taken to prevent spiritual
declension, lest the great day of the Lord overtake us as a thief in the night. Every witness for God is
now to work intelligently in the lines which God has appointed. We should daily obtain a deep and
living experience in the work of perfecting Christian character. We should daily receive the holy oil
that we may impart to others. All may be light-bearers to the world if they will. We are to sink self out
of sight in Jesus. We are to receive the word of the Lord in counsel and instruction, and gladly
communicate it. There is now need of much prayer. Christ commands, "Pray without ceasing;" that is,
keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency.
We may have long followed the narrow path, but it is not safe to take this as proof that we shall
follow it to the end. If we have walked with God in fellowship of the Spirit, it is because we have
sought him daily by faith. From the two olive-trees, the golden oil flowing through the golden pipes
has been communicated to us. But those who do not cultivate the spirit and habit of prayer cannot
expect to receive the golden oil of goodness, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love.
Every one is to keep himself separate from the world, which is full of iniquity. We are not to walk
with God for a time, and then part from his company, and walk in the sparks of our own kindling.
There must be a firm continuance, a perseverance in acts of faith. We are to praise God, to show forth
his glory in a righteous character. No one of us will gain the victory without persevering, untiring
effort, proportionate to the value of the object which we seek, even eternal life.
The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy
Spirit. Ask for his blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion. To us is committed the
arduous, but happy, glorious work of revealing Christ to those who are in darkness. We are called to
proclaim the special truths for this time. For all this the outpouring of the Spirit is essential. We
should pray for it. The Lord expects us to ask him. We have not been whole hearted in this work.
What can I say to my brethren in the name of the Lord? What proportion of our efforts has been
made in accordance with the light the Lord has been pleased to give. We cannot depend upon form or
external machinery. What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. "Not by
might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." Pray without ceasing, and watch by
working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter
rain, when the Lord will give largely of his Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit.
RH, February 4, 1902 The prophecy of Malachi was brought before them in connection with Daniel,
Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah. The teaching of these books was carefully investigated. The
building of the temple, and the temple service, were considered. There was close searching of the
Scriptures in regard to the sacred character of all that appertained to the temple service. Through the
prophets, God has given a delineation of what will come to pass in the last days of this earth’s history;
and the Jewish economy is full of instruction for us.
RH, December 26, 1907 And now, many years later, the Lord was preparing the way for these
thousands who had lingered, to return. A chain of circumstances was rapidly leading to the
confirmation of the decree of Cyrus and the issuance of a second decree by Darius Hystaspes. The
Lord foresaw the troublous times that would soon follow in the reign of Xerxes--the Ahasuerus of the
book of Esther. And so, in a time of special favor and opportunity, the message was given through
Zechariah: -- "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread
you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with
the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the Lord of hosts: After the glory hath he sent me unto the
nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold I will
shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the
Lord of hosts hath sent me." How sad it is to contemplate that this touching appeal met with so little
response! Had this entreaty to flee from Babylon been heeded, how different might have been the
condition of the Jews in the trying times of Mordecai and Esther! The Lord’s purposes for his people
have ever been the same. He desires to bestow on the children of men the riches of an eternal
inheritance. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. When those who choose to become obedient
subjects of the Most High are finally saved in the kingdom of glory, God’s purpose for mankind will
have been fulfilled. To us who are praying and longing for the coming of this most glorious kingdom,
as well as to the children of Israel in the days of Zechariah, are spoken the words: ‘sing and rejoice, O
daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many
nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of
thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the Lord shall inherit
Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the
Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
RH, January 2, 1908 Satan and his army were greatly discomfited and alarmed by the steady
advancement made by the builders of the temple. The hosts of evil determined to put forth untiring
effort to weaken and depress God’s people by holding before them their imperfections of character.
Satan well knew that if those who had long suffered because of transgression, could again be induced
to disregard God’s commandments, they would be brought once more under the bondage of sin. But
the Lord, in infinite pity, strengthened his chosen people "with good words and comfortable words."
In this crisis, he gave to his people a most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan
and the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish the accuser of his people. This is
recorded in the third chapter of the prophecy of Zechariah.
RH, January 16, 1908 Intimately associated with Joshua, the high priest, was Zerubbabel, governor
of Judea. It was under the leadership of these two men that the remnant of Israel returned at the
close of the seventy years” captivity. They also led out in the re-establishment of the ancient worship
at Jerusalem. In the second year of Cyrus, Zerubbabel laid the corner-stone of the temple. It was
Zerubbabel and Joshua who, in response to the messages of the Lord through Haggai and Zechariah,
"rose up," with courage renewed, and once more "began to build the house of God which is at
Jerusalem." These men were true leaders, and ‘the spirit of all the remnant of the people" was largely
influenced by the cheerful willingness with which they carried out the Lord’s commands.
Immediately after Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the angel, given to the high priest as a personal
testimony for his own encouragement and the encouragement of all the people of God, the prophet
received a personal testimony regarding the work of Zerubbabel. ‘the angel that talked with me,"
Zechariah declares, "came again, and waked me, as a man that is waked out of his sleep, and said unto
me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon
the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the
top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left
side thereof. ‘so I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my
Lord? . . .Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel,
saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. . . . ‘then answered I, and
said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left
side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which
through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the
two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." From the two olive trees the golden oil
was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick, and thence into the golden
lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God’s presence his Spirit is
imparted to the human instrumentalities who are consecrated to his service. The mission of the two
anointed ones is to communicate to God’s people that heavenly grace which alone can make his Word
a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.
In rebuilding the house of the Lord, Zerubbabel had been encompassed with manifold difficulties.
In former years, adversaries had "weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in
building," "and made them to cease by force and power." But the Lord interposed in behalf of the
faithful builders, and now he speaks through his prophet, Zechariah, to Zerubbabel, saying, "Not by
might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain?
before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with
shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
Throughout the history of God’s people, great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable,
have loomed up before those who were advancing in the opening providences of God. Such obstacles
to progress are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When hedged about on every side, this is the
time above all others to trust in God and in the power of his Holy Spirit. We are not to walk in our
own strength, but in the strength of the Lord God of Israel. It is folly to trust in man or to make flesh
our arm. We must trust in Jehovah; for in him is everlasting strength. The One who, in response to
words and deeds of faith, made the way plain before his servant Zerubbabel, is able to clear away
every obstacle devised by Satan to hinder the progress of his cause. Through the exercise of
persevering faith, every mountain of difficulty may be removed. Sometimes God trains his workers
by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is his purpose that they shall learn to
master difficulty. He seeks to inspire them with a determination to make every apparent failure
prove a success. Oftentimes men pray and weep because of the perplexities and obstacles that
confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will
make their way clear. Success will come to them as they struggle against apparently insurmountable
difficulties; and with success will come the greatest joy.
This was true of Zerubbabel; and for his encouragement he was given, through Zechariah, the
assurance: ‘the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish
it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day
of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, with
those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." The
promise, ‘the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish
it," was literally fulfilled. ‘the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying
of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to
the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and
Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar [the
twelfth month], which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king."
Shortly afterward, the restored temple was dedicated. ‘the children of Israel, the priests, and the
Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
and offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four
hundred lambs, and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the
tribes of Israel."
This second temple did not equal the first in magnificence, nor was it hallowed by those visible
tokens of the divine presence which pertained to the first temple. There was no manifestation of
supernatural power to mark its dedication. No cloud of glory was seen to fill the newly erected
sanctuary. No fire from heaven descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar. The shekinah no
longer abode between the cherubim in the most holy place; the ark, the mercy-seat, and the tables of
the testimony were not to be found therein. No voice sounded from heaven to make known to the
inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.
And yet this was the building concerning which the Lord had declared by the prophet Haggai, ‘the
glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former." "I will shake all nations, and the desire
of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." For centuries
afterward the Jews vainly endeavored to show wherein the promise of God, given by Haggai, had
been fulfilled; yet eventually, when the Desire of all nations actually appeared and hallowed the
precincts of the temple by his personal presence, pride and unbelief had blinded their minds to the
true meaning of the prophet’s words. The second temple was honored, not with the cloud of
Jehovah’s glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily,--God himself manifest in the flesh. The "Desire of all nations" had indeed come to his temple,
when the Man of Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred courts. In the personal presence of Christ
during his earthly ministry, and in this only, did the second temple exceed the first in glory.
Following the dedication of the house of God, the Israelites ‘set the priests in their divisions, and
the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of
Moses. And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover
for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the
children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves
unto them from all the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat, and
kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful, and
turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house
of God, the God of Israel."
RH, February 13, 1908 But with the passing of the years after the close of the captivity, conditions
changed, and many new responsibilities rested upon the leaders in Israel. The temple at Jerusalem
had been rebuilt and dedicated, and more priests were needed to carry on its services. There was
pressing need of men of God to act as teachers of the people. And besides, the Jews remaining in
Babylon were in danger of having their religious liberty restricted. Through the prophet Zechariah, as
well as by their late experience in the troublous times of Esther and Mordecai, God had plainly
warned his people to flee from Babylon. The time had come when it was perilous to dwell longer in
the midst of heathen influences. In view of these changed conditions, the priests in Babylon should
have been quick to discern in the call, "Who is on the Lord’s side?" a special call to them to return to
Jerusalem.
RH, September 16, 1909 This is a time when every soul needs to cling earnestly to God. Those
whom the Lord is leading to do his last work in the earth are to stand as Micah and Zephaniah and
Zechariah stood in their day, to call to repentance and good works. The writings of these prophets
contain warnings and instruction applicable to this time, and should receive our careful study. They
should teach us to shun every phase of evil that made such warnings essential to the people of the
past. Let every soul arouse and make diligent examination of self, that everything that would
separate the people of God from righteousness may be put away.
May 16, 1899 "Not by Might, Nor by Power."
RH, May 16, 1899 "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth
the seven stars in his right hands who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know
thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and
thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast
borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted." "Write the
things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the
mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest
are the seven churches."
This figure, presented to John by Christ when he appeared to him on the Island of Patmos, is similar,
in many respects, to the one shown to Zechariah. ‘the angel that talked with me," writes Zechariah,
"came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest
thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it,
and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof. . . .
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the
candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what
these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the
Lord of the whole earth."
This chapter is full of encouragement for those who do the work of the Lord in these last days.
Zerubbabel had gone to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord. But he was compassed with
difficulties. His adversaries "weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in
building," "and made them to cease by force and power." But the Lord interposed in their behalf, and
the house was finished. ‘this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by
power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel
thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying,
Grace, grace unto it. . . . For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall
see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run
to and fro through the whole earth."
The very same difficulties which were created to hinder the restoration and upbuilding of the work
of God, the great mountains of difficulty which loomed in Zerubbabel’s way, will be met by all who
today are loyal to God and to his work. Many human inventions are used to carry out plans after the
mind and will of men with whom God is not working. But it is not boastful words nor a multitude of
ceremonies that show that the Lord is working with his people. The assumed power of the human
agent does not decide this question. Those who place themselves in opposition to the Lord’s work
may hinder for a time, but the same Spirit that has guided the Lord’s work all the way through will
guide it today. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Through the
golden pipes, the olive-branches empty the golden oil out of themselves. These olive-branches are the
anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Through them the Holy Spirit is
communicated to the churches. Thus heaven and earth are united. The power that is in heaven unites
with human intelligences.The Lord would have every soul strong in his strength. He would have us
look to him, receiving our directions from him. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”
We are to ask God for wisdom, believing that our prayers are heard. Thus we may brace ourselves
against temptation. God would have us stand as firm as a rock to principle, working in harmony with
him, that he may answer our prayers; for he can do nothing to help unless we co-operate with him.
Unless we keep our souls in the love of God, unless we have firm, determined faith, we are like the
waves of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. Under favorable circumstances and good influences,
we seem to make advancement, and we think we have faith. But when circumstances alter, when the
waves of temptation beat strongly against us, we falter, and lose heart. God would have us advance
always, trusting in his power. Angels of God minister to every believing child. Only believe the
promises of God; and when temptation comes, set your face as a flint Zionward, and move forward.
God would ever have us witness for him, strengthened to do this by his Holy Spirit. As we do this,
we may be called upon to suffer tribulation; but wherever we are, whatever we are called upon to
suffer, Christ will be near us. The disciple John ever bore the most unflinching testimony for Christ.
As long as he lived, he preached Christ as the word of life. ‘the Word was with God, and the Word was
God," he declared. ‘the same was in the beginning with God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us." ‘this then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." As John drew near the close of his life, his testimony
was given with the power of the Spirit of God.
This living witness greatly disturbed those who had rejected Jesus. Kings and rulers could not bear
to hear this name; for they deemed Christ a rival. The mention of his name, the incidents of his life,
his death, and his resurrection, kindled their furious jealousy. They saw John the aged, honored and
beloved, constantly referring to Jesus as the eternal Word, giving to him a power exceeding their
power. His testimony was always the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. And
notwithstanding his age, his venerable appearance, his white locks, in their envy and jealousy they
condemned the faithful apostle to what was then thought to be the most severe of all punishments.
He was separated from his beloved people, and banished to Patmos. "I John, who also am your
brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the
isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Christ’s aged representative was exiled, that his testimony might no longer be heard; for it was a
living power on the side of right. But though separated from his brethren, he was visited by Christ,
whom he had not seen since the ascension. "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day," he writes, "and
heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. . .
. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore." Christ knew just where to
find John; and there, on the lonely island, he gave him a view of the closing scenes of this earth’s
history. This has been recorded for us. The record is ‘the revelation of Jesus Christ." The revealer is
the revealed. The living God is shown, superintending, day by day, the events connected with his
church. John was shown the slain Lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Conqueror, standing
in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, which are the seven churches.
When the mother of Zebedee’s children came to Christ with the request, "Grant that these my two
sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom," Christ said, "Ye
know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the
baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall
drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my
right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give." This baptism James had already experienced. John
was now drinking of the cup of which Christ had partaken. He was being baptized with suffering for
his name’s sake.
God judges every man according to his work. Not only does he judge, but he sums up, day by day
and hour by hour, our progress in well-doing. Should not this constrain us no longer to be children,
but men, who are learning of Christ? Shall we not create such an atmosphere about our souls,
through the grace given us by Christ, that we shall constantly advance heavenward? As the people of
God, shall we not unite in seeking him with humble and contrite hearts? The Lord said to Jacob, "Let
me go, for the day breaketh." But Jacob said, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." And there
and then he was blessed. ‘thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel," God declared; "for as a
prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Even so will God’s children be
blessed if they wrestle with him for his Spirit.
We are living amid the closing scenes of this world’s history, and our lives should not be as the life
of a butterfly. As servants of God, we should quit us like men, and be strong. The contrast between a
vain life and a life full of holy purpose can not fail to be seen. Let us remember that our citizenship is
in heaven. Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Let us heed the call, "Come out
from among them, and be ye separate." Do not mingle with the world from choice; but if you have a
word of warning, of invitation, of entreaty, do not fear to speak it. Lose no opportunity of witnessing
for Christ. He is the source of all grace, and he will send to his people the precious golden oil, enabling
them to witness boldly for him. As we consecrate ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit will impart to us
the holy oil, that our lamps may be kept bright and shining. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand."
Author and Date

The prophet Zechariah was a priest, the son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo. He was a member
of a prominent priestly family who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel in about 538 b.c. (Neh.
12:4). Zechariah began his ministry in 520 b.c., shortly after Haggai had begun his prophetic work,
and there are many points of contact between Haggai and Zechariah 1–8. Both contain precise date
formulas for their oracles and address the need to rebuild the temple, along with giving reassurance
that God will bless his people for their faithfulness. Zechariah 9–14 is different in style and content
from the earlier chapters, showing more similarities to the later book of Malachi. Some scholars
therefore claim that it was written by a different author at a different time. But the evidence in the
text can be explained equally well if Zechariah himself wrote those chapters significantly later,
perhaps in the fifth century b.c., when different needs surfaced within the community of God’s
people.
Zachariah means “Yahweh remembers.” He was a Levite, a son of priest. He should have become a
priest, but God called him as a prophet. He is a grandson of Iddo, a prominent godly priest.
Nehemiah 12:16; Ezra 5:1. He could have been born in Babylon. Iddo was in the list of the priest
who came back from Babylon to Judea. He was in Judea in the finishing of second temple and
celebration worship. Ezra 6:14. But we don’t have clue when his ministry has started. He started his
ministry at least in the fourth year of king Darius. Zech 7:1.
Theme, Purpose, and Occasion
The Great Empires of Prophecy 67
King Darius took the throne on 521 BC. In the second year (520 BC) the work of restoration at
Jerusalem was again taken up with vigor. Darius was a Persian (Ezra 4:24). It was the 8th month, in
the second year of Darius (Zech 1:1) when Zechariah began to cry out to his people. Haggai began to
cry out to the people of the Lord in the sixth month of the same year – 520 BC. The rebuilding of the
temple began in the 24th day of the sixth month of 520 BC (Hag 1).
Nearly 20 years after their return from the Babylonian exile in the time of Cyrus (538 b.c.),
discouragement dogged God’s people, replacing their earlier enthusiasm. The foundation of the
temple had been laid shortly after the initial return, in 536 b.c., but powerful opposition had
prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple. Though Persian foreign policy accorded a
significant role to local traditions—unlike the previous overlords, the Babylonians (prior to 538
b.c.)—life was still hard in the province of Judah (often referred to as “Yehud” in this period). Taxes
were high, especially as the Persian king, Darius Hystaspes, prepared for a campaign against Egypt.
There was little evidence of the kind of transformation of the state of things that the earlier
prophets had anticipated, whether externally in a restoration of Jewish sovereignty, or internally in
a moral reformation of the people. In particular, the city of Jerusalem was still only partially rebuilt
and was on the sidelines of world significance. Under the circumstances, it was easy for the people
to conclude that theirs was a “day of small things” (4:10) in which God was absent from his people.
In such a context, faithful obedience was viewed by many as useless: pragmatically, it made more
sense to pursue the best life possible in spite of the present difficulties.
Zechariah addressed such discouragement by reminding his hearers that, though hidden, God’s
envoys were watching everything, and that when the time was right, he would act to reorder the
universe (1:8–11). Their forefathers had discovered God’s faithfulness to judge his people if they
failed to heed the words of the prophets (1:4–6). If the people would heed the words of the
prophets and turn to the Lord, they would discover him turning to them. He would trouble the
nations who were enjoying rest and grant rest to his troubled people, making Jerusalem once again
the center of the world, a place of universal pilgrimage (1:14–17). The temple that was being rebuilt
and the priesthood that would serve in it were signs of the Lord’s commitment to his people, a
commitment that would be demonstrated by the ultimate removal of all their sin from the land
(3:8–10). This would happen when the promised Davidic king, the Branch, arrived (3:8). The result
would be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all the inhabitants of the land, as the Lord once more
dwelt in their midst.
The latter chapters of Zechariah also show that the coming of this Davidic ruler will not be without
challenge. A new ruler will come to Jerusalem, a ruler who will not be like the existing rulers but
will be righteous and humble, bringing salvation (9:9–11). In contrast to the shepherds who feed
themselves at the expense of the flock, this good shepherd will take care of the flock and provide for
them (9:16). He will cleanse them of all their iniquities (13:1). Yet the flock will themselves reject
this good shepherd, and the Lord’s own sword will be unleashed against him (11:4–16; 13:7). The
sheep will be scattered and left to their oppressors in a time of trial and testing. Yet ultimately God
will redeem his flock and rescue his city. Final judgment will come upon all the nations that
assaulted God’s people, and the end result will be the complete holiness of Jerusalem. It will be
restored as God’s chosen city, to which the nations will come on pilgrimage (ch. 14).
The book of Zechariah is densely mined for quotations by the NT, whose authors discerned in it
several prophecies concerning the Messiah’s coming. The clearest instances come from Zechariah
8:16 (in Eph. 4:25), Zechariah 9:9 (in Matt. 21:5 and John 12:15), Zechariah 11:12–13 (in Matt.
27:9–10), Zechariah 12:10 (in John 19:37), and Zechariah 13:7 (in Matt. 26:31 and Mark 14:27). In
addition to these are numerous allusions, which are sometimes difficult to assess; one estimate,
however, finds about 54 passages from Zechariah echoed in about 67 different places in the NT,
with the lion’s share of these found in the book of Revelation.
Pretty much same with the message of Haggai, but more extent with visions. His message was to
arouse and encourage the Jews which has left off by the False Smerdis. Zechariah discusses about
future glory many times. Zech 6:12-15. But It’s all conditional based. Same as Haggai. Zechariah
comes in with Haggai around the latter reign of false Smerdis and to Artaxerxes I.
Cyrus BC 536 – 531 BC 537 Ezra 1:1-4
Darius I BC 522 – 486 BC 520 Ezra 6:1-12
Artaxerxes I BC 465 – 423 BC 458-457 : 7th Ezra 7:1-6

year
* Temple finished in March, BC 515, 6th year of Darius I. It took 4 years and 3 months.
* Full Restoration of the Jerusalem was completed in BC 408.
He was a Levite and a son of a priest. He was a priest but God called Him into the prophetic role.
According to Jeremiah 12:16 and Ezra 5:1 he was the son of Iddo. And Iddo was a prominent godly
priest at this time.
Zech 1:1 shows that According to this verse Zechariah is the grandson of Iddo, but according to
world history, the grandson was called a son, and the grandfather was called a father. In our
understanding he was a grandson.
(Not clear) He could have been born in Babylon. Why? Iddo was in the group of priest who came
from Babylon to Judea with Ezra. So it is likely that he was born in Babylon as a descendent of Iddo
and he went back to Judea after one of the decrees given.
Zech 7:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [that] the word of the LORD came unto
Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu"
There is a possibility that Zechariah began his prophecy while he was in Babylon. And after he went
to Judea he could have still gave his messages to the people.
Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai
the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished [it], according to the
commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and
Artaxerxes king of Persia.
This means Zechariah and Haggai were there at the time of the rebuilding of the second temple. And
when it was finished he was there for the celebration worship. We don’t know exactly when he
started. Either in Babylon or Judea.
Zech 7:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto
Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;
This shows at the very least he started prophesying from the fourth year of king of Darius. This is
when he received this vision.
Both Zechariah and Haggai come on the scene around the time that the false Smerdis arrived on the
throne.
Review: We have 3 decrees that were given to go forth and rebuild and restore Jerusalem. How do
you show it from the Bible? Cyrus – 537 B.C. Ezra 1. Darius I – 520 B.C. Ezra 6. Artaxertes – 457 B.C.
Ezra 7. When was the second temple finished? In the sixth year of Darius I. 515 B.C. March (Abar, 3rd
month of the Hebrew calendar.)
Why don’t we use the first two decrees as a starting date? We have two reasons: The Daniel
prophecy is speaking of the restoration of Jerusalem as a civil state, not only restoring the temple.
Not only will the temple be built, but the streets and walls will be built too. The whole city. This is
why we choose this date. And this was done on the 7th year of Artaxerxes. It took 4 years and 3
months to build the second temple. (YOU MUST SHARE THIS IN YOUR EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS
AND BIBLE STUDIES. MEMORIZE THIS INFORMATION.)
Zechariah’s message was similar to Haggai’s but he gives more details because he had more visions.
He encouraged the Jews to rebuild the temple that was left unbuilt because of the false smerdis. He
destroyed other temples, and then to gain favor from the Samaritans he made the Jews stop
rebuilding the temple. Then God changed the political atmosphere in order for the temple to be
restored. Darius I killed the false smerdis and restored the decree. In 515 B.C. the temple of
Jerusalem was built. And from that point and on, the people slacked off in building the wall and the
streets. They went back and started to build their own homes, farms, and vineyards.
Then in 457 B.C. Artaxerxes I because of the invasion of the Grecians to the western cost, he wanted
the Philistines, Egyptians, and Palestine to become independent states. So they could be a bulwark
against the Grecians. They would be a defensive line for the Persian empire. That is why they
allowed it. Then Ezra and Nehemiah were permitted to take money out of the king’s treasury and
materials to go to Judea and build. This decree was for them to go back and build Jerusalem as a
civil state. And they could set up magistrates. So Ezra and Nehemiah chose them and brought them
back to Judea with them. Because of the size of the group they requested help, so the king sent
soldiers to escort them back. Otherwise other nations might have tried to fight them. From 457 B.C.
they started to build the streets and walls. It was finished in 408 B.C. 49 years. So it took one jubilee
year.
Key Themes
1. The need for repentance and turning to the Lord (1:1–6).
2. The necessity of sincerity in serving the Lord (ch. 7).
3. The Lord’s concern and care for the plight of his people (1:8–17; 4:10).
4. The future expansion and blessing of Jerusalem (2:4, 12; 8:1–8; 14:16).
5. The complete and permanent removal of the sin of the people (ch. 3; ch. 5).
6. The removal of false prophecy and idolatry from the land (13:2–6).
7. The centrality of the temple as the source of God’s blessing (ch. 4).
8. The Lord’s wrath at the nations that plundered Judah and Jerusalem (1:18–21; 14:3–5).
9. The return of the Divine Warrior to terrorize Israel’s foes (9:1–8).
10. The coming of the Branch, a Davidic ruler who will save his people, cleanse their sins, and
establish peace (3:8; 6:9–15; 9:9–10).
11. The pouring out of God’s Spirit, resulting in repentance, and the opening of a fountain for
the cleansing of sin (12:10–13:1).
12. Judgment on the wicked shepherds of God’s people and their replacement by a good
shepherd (11:1–17).
13. The striking of the good shepherd and the scattering of the flock (13:7–9).
14. The final triumph of the Lord over the nations (ch. 14).
The Near East at the Time of Zechariah
c. 520 b.c. Zechariah prophesied to the people of Judah soon
after they had returned from exile in Babylon. Several years
earlier, in 539 b.c., Cyrus the Great, who had united the
Persians and the Medes under his rule, conquered Babylon
and absorbed its territory into his empire. A year later he
permitted the people of Judah to return to their homeland and
rebuild the temple. He and his son Cambyses extended the
Persian Empire until it stretched from Egypt and Lydia to the
borders of India.
Palestine at the Time of Zechariah

c. 520 b.c. By Zechariah’s time the borders of the land of Israel and
Judah, later called Palestine, had been completely redrawn from the
days before the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions. The minor Persian
province to which exiles of Judah returned from Babylon was now called
Judea, and it encompassed only a fraction of the territory that had once
belonged to Judah. Edomites had migrated northwest from their
traditional homeland just south of Moab into the area immediately south
of Judea, and this land was now called Idumea. Territory that had once
belonged to the northern kingdom of Israel was divided into several
different minor provinces, including Samaria.
Jerusalem
Zech 1:16-17 [16] …I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies… [17]…the LORD shall yet choose
Jerusalem…
Zech 2:4, 12 [4] Jerusalem shall be inhabited…[12]…shall choose Jerusalem again…
Zech 3:2 ….chosen Jerusalem…
Zech 8:3, 8 [3] I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem [8]…And I will bring
them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” – 8:8
Zech 12:2-3, 6, 9-10 [2] I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling…[3]…I make Jerusalem a
burdensome stone…[6]…Jerusalem shall be inhabited again…[9] I will seek to destroy all the nations
that come against Jerusalem. [10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:
Zech 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
Zech 14:8, 11, 21 [8] Zechliving waters shall go out from Jerusalem…[11] Zerusalem shall be safely
inhabited…[21] Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts…
Stone
Zech 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone [shall be] seven eyes:
behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of
that land in one day.
Zech 7:12 Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the
words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great
wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Zech 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together
against it.

After the horrors of the exile, God is renewing his commitment to restore Judah as his treasured
people. They will still suffer more distress, but in the end God will judge the Gentile oppressors and
Judah will produce the Messiah, who will rule over the whole world, bringing them to worship the
true God.
Outline
1. Oracles and Visions (1:1–8:23)
a. Introduction: return to me and I will return to you (1:1–6)
b. Eight night visions and a sign-act (1:7–6:15)
i. Vision one: the Lord’s hidden horsemen (1:7–17)
ii. Vision two: Judah’s oppressors oppressed (1:18–21)
iii. Vision three: Jerusalem unwalled (2:1–13)
iv. Vision four: the reclothing of Joshua (3:1–10)
v. Vision five: the olive trees and the lampstand (4:1–14)
vi. Vision six: the flying scroll—wickedness judged (5:1–4)
vii. Vision seven: the flying ephah—wickedness removed (5:5–11)
viii. Vision eight: the Lord’s army on the move (6:1–8)
ix. A sign-act: the crowning of Joshua (6:9–15)
c. From fasts to feasts (7:1–8:23)
i. Ritual or reality (7:1–14)
ii. The promise of the future (8:1–23)
2. The Return of the King (9:1–14:21)
a. The first burden: leaders and their people (9:1–11:17)
i. The return of the king (9:1–17)
1. The divine warrior comes (9:1–8)
2. The king enters Jerusalem (9:9–11)
3. The king’s enemies destroyed and his people redeemed (9:12–17)
ii. The shepherds and the flock (10:1–11:17)
1. Judgment on Judah’s shepherds (10:1–5)
2. The restoration of the flock (10:6–12)
iii. The shepherds and one shepherd (11:1–17)
1. Judgment on Judah’s shepherds (11:1–3)
2. A sign-act: the shepherd rescues his flock but is rejected (11:4–17)
b. The second burden: the people and their leaders (12:1–14:21)
i. The restoration and renewal of God’s people (12:1–13:6)
1. Jerusalem’s triumph and the nations” doom (12:1–9)
2. Mourning for sin (12:10–14)
3. Cleansing from sin and idolatry (13:1–6)
ii. Judgment and transformation (13:7–14:21)
1. The shepherd struck and the flock scattered (13:7–9)
2. Jerusalem’s judgment, deliverance, and exaltation (14:1–11)
3. The nations humbled and brought into submission (14:12–21)
Chapter 1 – Call to Return to the Lord
The prophecy of Zechariah begins by stating the Lord’s controversy with his people, and then
invites them to seek him.
Chapter Outline
 Introduction and time setting (1)
 Turn to Me and I will turn to you (2-6)
 Vision of the man on the red horse (7-17)
 Vision of the four horns and four carpenters (18-21)
1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son
of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
"eighth month" – It was the eighth month of 520 BC when the word of the Lord first came unto
Zechariah. Berechiah means “knee (blessing) of Jah.” Iddo means: ‘timely” or ‘to advance, pass on,
continue.” This was two months from the time that Haggai began to prophesy. This is important to
remember.
1:2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers
"with your fathers" – Who were there fathers? Those that went into captivity. You can go back
further then that, but we know it was them because they did not listen to the Lord, and as a result
they were punished. The past.
1:3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of
hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
“therefore” – Because he was displeased with their fathers say this..say

Because the Lord has been sore displeased with your fathers, the Lord says ‘turn to me and I will
turn to you.” It is conditional. If you don’t turn to me, I won’t turn to you.
“LORD” – ‘self Existent” or eternal; “Jehovah”
He is repeating it three times in this verse – ‘saith the LORD of hosts.” Fourty-two times it is
repeated ‘saith the LORD” in the book of Zechariah. Out of those 42 times, 28 times it is repeated
‘saith the LORD of hosts.” At the birth of Samuel was the first time that the “Lord of hosts” was
mentioned.
“hosts” meaning a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war
(an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship):—
appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).
Samuel was to be the person that would appoint a king – the beginning of an organized army for the
Israelites. The phrase “LORD of hosts” is not used in the New Testament Zech 6:13 – describing of a
coming king who will rule upon his throne – the BRANCH.
“turn ye unto me” – This phrase is very important. IT PRESENTS A CONDITION THAT IS OFFERED
TO THE PEOPLE. If they turn unto God then God says
“and I will turn unto you” – This condition sets the stage for all the promised blessings and all the
assurances of the restoration of Jerusalem. In order for everything that is mentioned in this book to
come to pass with the Jews, they had to meet this condition.
1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of
hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken
unto me, saith the LORD.
“Be ye not” – This verse is an admonition to them. Don’t be like your fathers who the prophets said
turn from your evils ways, but they didn’t listen. Your fathers, whom the Lord was sore displeased
with, have had prophets cry out to them to turn from their evil ways, but they did not hear or
hearken unto the Lord. The problem with the people back then is two things: They didn’t turn from
their evil ways and they did not hear or hearken unto the words of the Lord presented by the
former prophets.
“ways” – a course of life or mode of action
Zech 1:4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the
LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear,
nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
The ways of the people prior to captivity were evil
Zech 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not
take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto
us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
We will be judged by our ways
Zech 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge,
then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by.
We should be walking in God’s ways.
1:5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
“where are they?” – Very important question. It is two fold. Where were there fathers? Where are
the fathers that the Lord was sore displeased with? Prophets, they don’t live forever. From looking
at the end of the verse you will understand it says.
“do they live forever?” – The natural implication is no, they don’t live forever, so where were they?
Dead, in the grave. But also according to the next verse they were in captivity. So where are those
who would not turn from their evil ways or listen to the prophets? They are dead, they are in
captivity? Why? Because they didn’t hearken, which implies if they would have hearkened they
would not be dead. It applies two ways. They could have saved their temporal lives, but ultimately
they would live forever. They would receive eternal life.
Personal Sermon App: You must understand the importance of taking heed to the writings of the
prophets. Whether Jeremiah, Isaiah, and yes Ellen G. White. The writings of Sister White are
salvational. And ultimately if you reject the prophet, you like the fathers will be dead, spiritually,
and ultimately literally if you persist. But the blessing is if you follow and obey you will live. You
will receive temporal life, spiritual life, and eternal life if you do listen. Oh how can we forsake the
writings of the prophets? Where are our spiritual fathers who did not listen to Ellen White? How
about J.H. Kellogg, what about A.T. Jones and Ballenger. Where are they? They are not making it to
the kingdom. What about those who have listened? (Loughborough, Butler, Smith who repented
after the 1888 crisis?)
Note: This is also a key text that shows man doesn’t live forever. He is mortal. He is subject to death.
1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold
of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according
to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
“But” – contrast to the prophets not living forever and the fathers not around anymore. But my
words and my statutes – they are forever and they are still existent today. These words and
statutes: They were spoken by the prophets, they took hold of the fathers whom the Lord was sore
displeased with. These words caused them to return and say that the Lord has dealt with us
according to our ways and actions. God deals with us according to our doings and according to our
ways. Because God’s words and statutes are forever, He is giving the same message again today
with His prophets and once again it is conditional, whether the people will: turn from their evil
ways. Hear and hearken unto the words of the Lord.
PK 576 …the earnest pleadings and the encouragements given through Haggai were emphasized and
added to by Zechariah, whom God raised up to stand by his side in urging Israel to carry out the
command to arise and build. Zechariah’s first message was an assurance that God’s word never fails
and a promise of blessing to those who would hearken to the sure word of prophecy.
Those same words and statues that were mentioned by the prophets, (some who were dead like
Jeremiah), they took hold of them, and they returned and said God has done to us everything that
He said He would do through the prophets.
Summation: And it ends right here. The next vision isn’t given until two months later. BUT THIS
NEXT VISION is going to show how God will deal with His people now that they have returned to
Him, and now that they are returned from captivity. Remember the last thing that they said was
surely the Lord has dealt with us as He said. And as a result of God dealing with them, the city of
Jerusalem was desolate.
So the rest of the chapter is going to deal with Jerusalem. The next part of the chapter God says He
will have mercy on Jerusalem, and the last part of the chapter shows How God will have mercy on
Jerusalem.
So the burden of the chapter is God’s mercy on Jerusalem. And this mercy is not just shown by
rebuilding the city. God choosing Jerusalem shows the mercy. Despite their sins, He is still going
to dwell among them, and we saw that in Haggai. He renewed the covenant of His Spirit with them.
And God dwelled with them through His Spirit. Remember they didn’t have a physical manifestation
of His presence anymore. But He was there by His Spirit. And again Chapter 1 lays the foundation
for the entire book.
1:7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year
of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet,
saying,
"eleventh month..second year of Darius" – Chapter 1:7 all the way to chapter 7:1 takes place in
the second year and 11th month of Darius. This is when he saw the next series of visions. It was the
24th day of the eleventh month, 520 BC. The same year that the word of the Lord first came unto
Zechariah. The following visions are given.
First Vision: Myrtle trees and red horses (7-17)

VERSE [8] I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle
trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. [9] Then
said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee
what these be. [10] And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are
they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. [11] And they answered the
angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through
the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. [12] Then the angel of the LORD
answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the
cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? [13] And
the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. [14] So
the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I
am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. [15] And I am very sore displeased with
the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
[16] Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be
built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. [17] Cry yet,
saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and
the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
Israel stands still, heathens around are very silent. They got the decree to cease the temple, and
they were discouraged. They all returned home and doing nothing. They stand still. Therefore,
heathen nations around them have no reason to agitate and persecute them. They are very silent.
1:8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that
were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
“man riding red horse...myrtle trees…behind him…red horses, speckled (bay), and white” –
Before I thought they were red and white, but behind him there were red horses, bay horses, and
white horses.
These are the same horses that you see in chapter 6:1-7. In that chapter you have an enlargement.
You have added detail. You see black horses, but also you see what exactly it is that they are doing.
Here it just says that they went and came back. Chapter 6 shows you were they went, and what
happened as a result of their work.
In chapter 1 they went and returned, and it says they earth is at rest, and then God says the temple
will be built and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem, which means it will be built. In
chapter 6 they go, the north is quite and the chapter ends with them building the temple. The man
riding the red horse is an angel of the Lord (1:11) Why are the myrtle trees being used as a
representation? There are three different types of horses behind the angel on the horse:
“Red”
“speckled” - bright red (as piercing to the sight), that is, bay
“White”
Interestingly enough these three colors are found in chapter six. The only color missing is the black
color.
2 Questions: What do these horses represent?
Zech 6:5 four spirits…standing before the Lord of all the earth.
1 Kings 22:19 I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing
by him on his right hand and on his left."
So far the 4 spirits represent all the host of heaven that stand before the Lord.
Dan 7:9-10 [9] Ancient of days…[10]…thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand
times ten thousand stood before him
Rev 5:11 …many angels round about the throne..number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands."
Who are the 4 spirits that stand before the Lord? All the host of heaven, the number of them being
ten thousand times ten thousand.
Conclusion: The 4 spirits are the angels. The red, white, gristled, and black horses represent angels.
Why horses? Because horses are a symbol of battle and warfare.
Prov 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Deut 20:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a
people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee
up out of the land of Egypt.
Jer 8:6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness,
saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
So the angels are engaged in warfare, in a battle, in a controversy. Why does John use this same
imagery in Rev 6? What do the horses represent in Rev 6? God’s church. Why is the symbol of a
horse used?
Zech 10:3 …house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle"
Note: In the beginning of chapter 1 you have angels represented as horses, at the end you have
God’s people represented as horses. Why? Because you are looking at the kingdom of heaven: God’s
people and the angels engaged in conflict. God is using the angels as well as His people to
accomplish His will and a work in the earth. Revelation is describing God’s church in conflict in a
spiritual warfare.
White = righteousness (A pure church)
Red = persecution ( A persecuted church)
Black = desolation (Abomination of Desolation) (Jer 4:26-27)
Pale = Death
So you must put the two together. Remember what the red, white, black, and gristled horses were.
They are 4 spirits.
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister…
So when God’s church was in the state of purity conquering and going on to conquer God sent white
horses His angels to MINISTER, to assist and to aid His people. When they were going through
persecution God sent red horses, His angles to strengthen to go through persecution. It is the same
color because the angles IDENTIFY AND SYMPATHIZE WITH GOD’S people as we go through our
trials. And as they battle the angels are there to lift up a standard against the enemy. There is a close
connection between heaven and earth because of Christ, and the souls who He had redeemed
"Angels have far more to do with the human family than many suppose". So when John uses this
symbol He combines the two. Anytime God’s people are engaged with the enemy angels are by our
side helping us.
1:9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew
thee what these be.
“angel that talked with me” – We see that he had an accompanying angel. From this point forward
he clearly distinguishes between the other angles and his accompanying angel. Interpretation
coming.
1:10 And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD
hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
“these” is referring to the three types of colored horses, red, speckled and white
“to and fro”
Zech 1:8, 10 [8] I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the
myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and
white. [10[ And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom
the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
The red horses, speckled and white
Zech 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the
plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and
fro through the whole earth.
The eyes of the Lord
Zech 6:7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth:
and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the
earth.
The bay horses. What is the connection between these horses in chapter one and chapter six? But
what is the connection between the eyes and the red horses? What do the colors represent
accordingly to the horses?
“man…and said” – He stood among the myrtle trees and said this. These horses are sent by the
Lord to walk to and fro through the earth.
Next it presents the angelic agency by which God takes notice of human affairs. Israel stands still,
heathens around are very silent. So God’s purpose is to arouse His people to rebuild His temple.
1:11 And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have
walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.
These angels report to their chief that the whole earth was then in a state of entire peace. Upon this
looking upon Jerusalem still in distress and comparatively uninhabited, chap. 7:7, cries out. As a
result of the horses walking to and fro throughout the whole earth, they know that the earth is still
and at rest. Could this be linked to 2:13 – ‘silent”
“still” and “rest” are related to death in the Bible.
“angel of the Lord stood among the myrtle trees” – So tell me who was the man riding the red
horse that stood among the myrtle trees? The angel of the Lord. Angel means messenger. The man
who rode the red horse was the messenger of the Lord. Who is the angel or messenger of Jehovah?
Jesus. But at this time He was not Jesus. He was Michael the archangel. This phrase is seen six times
in this book.
Zech 1:11, 12 [11]…angel of the Lord…[12]…angel of the Lord…
Zech 3:1, 5, 6 [1]…angel of the Lord…[5]…angel of the Lord…[6]…angel of the Lord…
Zech 12:8 …angel of the Lord…
“earth sitteth still” – This cannot be the same as Haggai 1:2 because we are in the 11th month of
the 2nd year. The began to build in the 6th month of the 2nd year. So the only thing it can refer to is
Jerusalem. The had began to build, but with so little people there it was quite. And we know this
because of the next verse.
1:12 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy
on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and
ten years?
“not have mercy on Jerusalem…cities of Judah” – For 70 years the Lord had indignation of
Jerusalem and Judah, how? By them being desolate and destroyed. Now from verse 13 to 21,
everything that is said is based upon this question. This question is in reference to the seventy
years of captivity of Judah in a foreign land
1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
Verses 13 through 17 show that the restoration of Jerusalem was at this time future, but that the
providence of God was at work for its accomplishment. The cry of the angel was answered with
good and comfortable words. So the following words that will be answered unto Zechariah are good
and comfortable words. These words will be of positive benefit to the people of the Lord.
“Lord answered the angel that talked with me” – Side note: This shows the order of inspiration.
The message came from the LORD OF HOSTS, to the angel of the Lord (Christ), to the accompanying
angel to Zechariah to us. Same as Rev 1:1-4.
“good and comfortable words” – Verses 14-17 explain what these good and comfortable words
are.
1:14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I
am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
There is communication between the angel and the Lord and then the angel turns to Zechariah to
tell him to tell the people of Judah that the Lord is jealous for Jerusalem and Zion. Theses are words
of good and comfort.
"jealous for Jerusalem" – You will see this again in chapter 8:2.
1:15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased,
and they helped forward the affliction.
Key text
When you study this concept more you will discover that God was displeased with the heathen
because even though God used them to destroy Jerusalem, they went too far. In speaking to Babylon
in Isaiah 47:6 God makes it clear that they laid a heavy yoke upon the ancient, the elderly among His
people. And He pronounces judgment because of that.
“ease” meaning haughty or secure (in a bad sense). They have not attributed the blessings that they
have received from God but from their own gods. This can be found in king Nebuchadnezzar –
Daniel 4. He attributed all his success to himself and not to God (whom he knew for a fact was the
cause of the blessing).
This text shows that the Lord used Babylon and other surrounding heathen nations to pronounce
judgment upon Israel and Judah.
1:16 Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in
it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
This is a promise given to the people of the Lord. These are the good and comfortable words that
Zechariah is to cry to the people of the Lord – He will yet choose Jerusalem. So the following visions
will be how the Lord will yet choose Jerusalem and how the Lord will yet comfort Zion.
“therefore” – because of the heathen.
“I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies”
“line” – meaning a measuring line. This is in reference to the vision of chap 2. The Lord will show
His mercy by stretching forth a line upon Jerusalem. This cannot be something that is bad because
God is showing His mercy upon Jerusalem.
1:17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread
abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
“cities..spread abroad...choose Jerusalem” – This is a response to verse 12
“choose Jerusalem” – THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PHRASE. You see it again in chapter 2:12; 3:2.
God is making it clear that He will still choose them, meaning they will still be His chosen people,
but in chapter 3 you have Satan opposing them, and showing how they could not be chosen, and
chapter 3 shows how and why they can be chosen, it is because of the change of garment, because of
Christ’s righteousness.
"and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem" – This means that God
determined to restore and build the temple, but the problem was the people. In Chapter 2 Zechariah
is warning the people to come out of Babylon (Haggai didn’t have this)
Second Vision: Four horns and four carpenters (18-21)

VERSE [18] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. [19] And I said unto the
angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have
scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. [20] And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. [21] Then
said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered
Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of
the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Verses 18-21 are going to describe HOW God is going to have mercy on Jerusalem by setting
agencies in place for its restoration. God’s intention to repair all the damages has been done to his
temple.
1:18 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
"four horns" – Four horns represent four corners of the world. Which indicates full restoration.
Four carpenters will rebuild the damage.
1:19 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What [be] these? And he answered me, These [are]
the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
"horns have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem" – The horns are the Gentiles:
Zech 1:21 …to cast out the horns of the Gentiles
“Horn” represents a kingdom:
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise
after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Represents kings and kingdoms.Therefore four Gentile kingdoms will come to scatter Judah, Israel
and Jerusalem
1:20 And the LORD showed me four carpenters.
"four carpenters"
1:21 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These [are] the horns which have
scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the
horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up [their] horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
Reassurance is given that the Gentile nations that scattered Israel will be frayed.
"fray them..horns of the Gentiles" – Who are these gentiles contextually? V.15 ‘the heathen."
Horns are a symbol of strength and power.
Hab 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the
hiding of his power.
Ps 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
Chapter 2 – Divine presence and blessings in the work of restoration
Chapter 2 is an enlargement of chapter 1:14,16, and 17. And it also carries over from chapter 1.
TA 146 "I lifted up mine eyes again," says Zechariah, "and looked, and behold a man with a
measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure
Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel
that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run,
speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the
multitude of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about,
and will be the glory in the midst of her."--RH Dec. 26, 1907.
Third Vision: Vision of the man with a measuring line (1-13)

VERSE [1] I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his
hand. [2] Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what
is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. [3] And, behold, the angel that talked with me
went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, [4] And said unto him, Run, speak to this young
man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and
cattle therein: [5] For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the
glory in the midst of her. [6] Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD:
for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD. [7] Deliver thyself, O
Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. [8] For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the
glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the
apple of his eye. [9] For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their
servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. [10] Sing and rejoice, O daughter
of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. [11] And many nations
shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee,
and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. [12] And the LORD shall inherit
Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. [13] Be silent, O all flesh,
before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
2:1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Let us keep in remembrance that every vision was for good and for comfort to the people of Israel
The measuring line:
RH, August 20, 1901 In the chapter preceding the one containing the words, "And he showed me
Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to
resist him," we read, "I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line
in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what
is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel that talked with me went
forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man,
saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle
therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the
midst of her. . . . Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of
thee, saith the Lord." God had given commandment for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, and the
measuring of the city was a symbol that He would give comfort and strength to His affected
ones.
GH, April 23, 1902 In my dream last night a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and
said to every one who came for entrance, Have you received the Holy Ghost? A measuring line
was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building. Your size as a human being
is nothing; your size as the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, according to the knowledge you have
had, will give you an appointment to sit with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and you will
never know the extent of the great advantages given you in the banquet prepared for you.
So the measuring line was for comfort and for strength to the people of the Lord that Jerusalem
would be rebuilt. The measuring line is applied to people at the end of time and whether they have
the Holy Spirit or not. This is a type of judgment upon God’s people. We are now living in the time of
judgment where God’s measuring line is stretched out upon Jerusalem (God’s people). God begins
His judgment with His people
TM 431 …the work of judgment begins at the sanctuary.
2:2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what [is] the
breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof.
The measurements of the city of Jerusalem are being measured out so that it can be rebuilt
Is 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall
sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the
refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. The measuring line is a symbol of judgment. So
at the end of time, God’s good and comfortable words to His people is the judgment hour message. The Three
Angels” messages which need to be proclaimed to the whole world. They are not messages of fear, but a
message that God is just and He will avenge the righteous. Only the wicked have something to fear. God will
scatter the Gentile nations, but during that time, His city will be rebuilt and will gather together all the
remnant (Zech 8:12).
2:3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
2:4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited [as] towns
without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
2:5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of
her.
The reason why Jerusalem will be inhabited without wall is because the Lord will be a wall of fire
round about and the glory in the midst of her. What is this wall of fire according to the Spirit of
Prophecy?
CET 209 The gift of His Holy Spirit, rich, full, and abundant, is to be to His church as an
encompassing wall of fire, which the powers of hell shall not prevail against. In their untainted purity
and spotless perfection, Christ looks upon His people as the reward of all His suffering, His
humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory,--Christ, the great center from which
radiates all glory. "Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
GW92 374 The truth as it is in Jesus is a wall of fire around the soul that clings to him.
LHU 341 In the day of affliction, when the enemy presses us, we shall walk among the angels. They
will be like a wall of fire about us; and we shall one day walk with them in the city of God.
MM 143 The grace of Christ shall be as a wall of fire round about the soul.
OHC 210 If you come to the study of the Scriptures in humility, with earnest prayer for guidance,
angels of God will open to you its living realities; and if you cherish the precepts of truth, they will
be to you as a wall of fire against the temptations, delusions, and enchantments of Satan.
PK 581 God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt; the vision of the measuring of the city was an
assurance that He would give comfort and strength to His afflicted ones, and fulfill to them the
promises of His everlasting covenant. His protecting care, He declared, would be like "a wall of fire
round about;" and through them His glory would be revealed to all the sons of men. That which He
was accomplishing for His people was to be known in all the earth. "Cry out and shout, thou
inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Isaiah 12:6.
Without having the fire round about, God cannot be the glory in the midst of Jerusalem. Everyone
was to know the glory of God revealed through His people. That was the purpose of God for all His
people through all time – even during this time when Jerusalem was being rebuilt. Everybody was
to know the character of God because of what the people of God had:
The gift of the Holy Spirit
The truth as it was in Jesus
Angels
The grace of Christ
Study of the scriptures
Precepts of truth
His protecting care
Through all these agencies, people were to know of the glory of God. It is impossible to obtain a
perfect character with one of these agencies missing. At the end of time, in order for the judgment
hour message to go forward, we must have the glory of God in the midst of us.
2:6 Ho, ho, [come forth], and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad
as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
Come forth, and flee from the land of the north – “Come out of her, My people.” This message is
not included in the message of Haggai. Because these people did not hearken to the voice of the
Lord, they had to confront the death decree in the book of Esther.
There is a call for the people of God to come forth from the land of the north (Babylon) as it will be
destroyed.There is a same call for the people of Babylon to come out (Rev 18:4) for it is fallen.
Babylon the great is fallen. The “four winds of the heaven” denote complete and utter destruction.
Just as the angels are holding back the four winds of strife that are to fall on the earth (Rev 7:1) –
those will bring about utter destruction to the earth as well. This is unfulfilled prophecy because the
glory of God has not been shed abroad to the whole earth yet. They were not only in Babylon, but
they were in other nations. He is saying come from all the different nations.
2:7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest [with] the daughter of Babylon.
There were God’s people amongst the daughters of Babylon, in the Gentile nations. The judgment
hour message from Zechariah was meant to call them out because Babylon was going to be
destroyed. There are still God’s people in the daughters of Babylon today (Rev 17:5) and we need to
give the three Angels’ messages to call them out.
(*PO It does not say that they were Babylon)
Because they did not return to Jerusalem and hearken to the voice of the Lord. This is why they had
to face the death decree of Haman (In the book of Ester) There is a warning here.
“daughter of Babylon” – What does it mean? Daughter is referring to the offspring of Babylon.
Who is the offspring of Babylon? Persia. So he is not talking about Babylon itself, but the spirit of
Babylon was transferred to the Persian empire. Persia which is offspring of the spirit of Babylon has
been spread through. Since captives are scattered in Babylon and also surrounding countries. God is
calling all of them to come out of it.
(*PO this connects with Daniel 2 showing the spirit is transferred all the way down to today. And
Daniel 7 when it says their lives were prolonged, and Rev 13 showing the spirit of Babylon in the
papacy.) It is also talking about them coming out from Babylon and the other regions that
surrounded Babylon.
2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you:
for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
2:9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye
shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
4BC 1177 6-9. A Little-heeded Appeal.--[Zech. 2:6-9 quoted.] How sad it is to contemplate that this
touching appeal met with so little response! Had this entreaty to flee from Babylon been heeded, how
different might have been the condition of the Jews in the trying times of Mordecai and Esther!
The Lord’s purposes for His people have ever been the same. He desires to bestow on the children
of men the riches of an eternal inheritance. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. When those who
choose to become obedient subjects of the Most High are finally saved in the kingdom of glory, God’s
purpose for mankind will have been fulfilled (RH Dec. 26, 1907).
2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the
LORD.
Daughter of Zion is Jerusalem (v.4-5) We can sing and rejoice because the Lord will come and dwell
in the midst of us. He has promised that as Christians, we can be joyful and sing and rejoice because
Christ is in the midst of us. He is in our hearts, He is in our fellowship, He is walking amongst His
churches. He is in the midst (Rev 1:13). Why does he call them the daughter of Zion now? Same as
before. These people are the offspring of those who first were in captivity in Babylon. Thee people
were offspring of Zion after 70 years. They were their children.
2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in
the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
Many people shall be joined and God’s glory (v.4-5) shall be in the midst of them. Because the glory
of God is in the midst of them, by that shall Zechariah know that the Lord hath sent the angel unto
him
2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
“choose” means to select. So when the Lord inherits Judah, He will choose (select) Jerusalem again.
This is a promise to His people that Judah will be inherited again and Jerusalem will be chosen. God
is in the process of choosing people now.
2:13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
All flesh is to be silent before the Lord because He is raised up out of His holy habitation The
choosing of Jerusalem (v.12) is correlated to the Lord being raised up out of His holy habitation
Hab 2:19, 20 [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall
teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20]
But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
When the Lord shall arise, all the earth will keep silence before Him. Probation will be closed when
the Lord arises. When the Lord is raised up, He will have chosen Jerusalem. God’s people would
have been decided, the judgment message would have been given, and probation will be closed.
Rev 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of
half an hour.
There is silence in heaven for the space of half an hour. All heaven is empty because the Lord has
gone to usher in His chosen people.
Chapter 3 – Protection of God for Israel from Satan and pardon for their
sins
Zech 3 Fulfilled w/ 144,000 – 590-592 As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading
for purity of heart, the command is given, ‘take away the filthy garments," and the encouraging words
are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the tried,
tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore
to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb’s book of life,
enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not
been turned from their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s
devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A "fair miter" is set upon their heads.
While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and
fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon
Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in their foreheads. They sing the
new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and
four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. [Rev 14:4,5 quoted] Now is reached the
complete fulfillment of the words of the Angel: "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy
fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant
the Branch." Zechariah 3:8. Christ is revealed as the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people. Now indeed
are the remnant "men wondered at," as the tears and humiliation of their pilgrimage give place to joy
and honor in the presence of God and the Lamb. "
The Vision of Joshua and the Angel
TA 146-149 The scene of Satan’s accusation was presented beforethe prophet. He says, "He showed
me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand
to resist him."--RH Aug. 22, 1893. A most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan and
the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish the accuser of His people, is given in
the prophecy of Zechariah. In holy vision the prophet beholds Joshua the high priest, "clothed with
filthy garments," standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of His
people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him.
Because Israel has been chosen to preserve the knowledge of God in the earth, they had been, from
their first existence as a nation, the special objects of Satan’s enmity, and he had determined to cause
their destruction. He could do them no harm while they were obedient to God; therefore he had bent
all his power and cunning to entice them into sin. Ensnared by his temptations they had transgressed
the law of God and thus separated from the Source of their strength, and had been left to become the
prey of their heathen enemies. They were carried into captivity to Babylon, and there remained for
many years.
Yet they were not forsaken of the Lord. His prophets were sent to them with reproofs and
warnings. The people were awakened to see their guilt, they humbled themselves before God, and
returned to Him with true repentance. Then the Lord sent them messages of encouragement,
declaring that He would deliver themfrom their captivity and restore them to His favor. It was this
that Satan was determined to prevent. A remnant of Israel had already returned to their own land,
and Satan was seeking to move upon the heathen nations, who were his agents, to utterly destroy
them. . . .
The high priest [Joshua] cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not
claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which
he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to
their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith
claiming the promises of God.
Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His
people, declaring: ‘the Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke
thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Israel had long remained in the furnace of affliction.
Because of their sins they had been well-nigh consumed in the flame kindled by Satan and his agents
for their destruction, but God had now set His hand to bring them forth. In their penitence and
humiliation the compassionate Saviour will not leave His people to the cruel power of the heathen. . . .
As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, ‘take away the filthy garments from
him," and to Joshua the Angel declares, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I
will clothe thee with change of raiment." ‘so they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with
garments." His own sins and those of his people were pardoned. Israelwere clothed with "change of
raiment"--the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. The miter placed upon Joshua’s head was
such as was worn by the priests and bore the inscription, "Holiness to the Lord," signifying that,
notwithstanding his former transgressions, he was now qualified to minister before God in His
sanctuary.
After thus solemnly investing him with the dignity of the priesthood the Angel declared: ‘thus saith
the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also
judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that
stand by." He would be honored as the judge or ruler over the temple and all its services; he should
walk among attending angels, even in this life, and should at last join the glorified throng around the
throne of God.--5T 467-469.
This word of assurance is given to all who have faith in God. Receive this wonderful promise. It is
not a human being who is speaking. ‘thus saith the Lord of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if
thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts and I
will give thee places to walk among these that stand by." "Among these that stand by." The hosts of
the enemy, who are trying to bring God’s people into disrepute, and the hosts of heaven, ten thousand
times ten thousand angels, who watch over and guard the tempted people of God, uplifting them and
strengthening them--these are they who stand by. And God says to His believing ones, You shall walk
among them. You shall not be overcome by the powers of darkness. You shall stand before me in the
sight of the holy angels, who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation.--RH
April 30, 1901.
4BC 1177-1178 Same Work Today.--Joshua is represented as pleading with the Angel. Are we
engaged in the same work? Are our supplications ascending to God in living faith? Are we opening
the door of the heart to Jesus, and closing every means of entrance to Satan? Are we daily obtaining
clearer light, and greater strength, that we may stand in Christ’s righteousness? Are we emptying our
hearts of all selfishness, and cleansing them, preparatory to receiving the latter rain from heaven?
Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that they may go beforehand to
judgment and be blotted out (RH Nov. 19, 1908). "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments."
Thus sinners appear before the enemy who by his masterly, deceptive power has led them away from
allegiance to God. With garments of sin and shame the enemy clothes those who have been
overpowered by his temptations, and then he declares that it is unfair for Christ to be their Light,
their Defender (MS 125, 1901).
4BC 1178 Self-admiration Results From Ignorance.--All self-exaltation and self-admiration are the
result of ignorance of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. How quickly will self-esteem die,
and pride be humbled in the dust, when we view the matchless charms of the character of Christ! The
holiness of His character is reflected by all who serve Him in spirit and in truth. If our lips have need
of cleansing, if we realize our destitution, and come to God in contrition of heart, the Lord will
remove the uncleanness. He will say to His angel, ‘take away the filthy garments," and clothe him
with "change of raiment" (RH Dec. 22, 1896).
4, 5. A Change of Raiment.--Poor, repentant mortals, hear the words of Jesus, and believe as you hear:
"And he answered [the accusing charge of Satan] and spake unto those [angels] that stood before him
[to do His bidding], saying, Take away the filthy garments from him." I will blot out his
transgressions. I will cover his sins. I will impute to him My righteousness. "And unto him he said,
Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."
4BC 1178.7
The filthy garments are removed; for Christ says, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee."
The iniquity is transferred to the innocent, the pure, the holy Son of God; and man, all undeserving,
stands before the Lord cleansed from all unrighteousness, and clothed with the imputed
righteousness of Christ. Oh, what a change of raiment is this! 4BC 1178.8
And Christ does more than this for them: [Zech. 3:5 quoted]. 4BC 1178.9
This is the honor that God will bestow on those who are clothed with the garments of Christ’s
righteousness. With such encouragement as this, how can men continue in sin? How can they grieve
the heart of Christ (MS 125, 1901)? 4BC 1178.10
4-7. An Experience Being Re-enacted.-- [Zech. 3:4-7 quoted.] The one who was clothed with filthy
garments represents those who have committed wrongs, but who have come into so sincere a
position of repentance that the Lord, who forgives all sins that are repented of, was satisfied. Satan
seeks to place in a humiliating position those who have truly repented of their sins. And those who
are continuing in a wrong course of action are prompted by Satan to tantalize the one who has
repented. . . . 4BC 1178.11
Men who have gone to great lengths in transgression, and who have never confessed their sins will
seek to bring all the reproach possible upon those whom Satan has worked to destroy, but who have
repented and humbled themselves before God, confessing their sins to the sin-pardoning Saviour,
and receiving pardon. Men who have not repented of their sins, and have not received pardon, will
tantalize the truly repentant ones, repeating their wrongdoing to those who knew nothing of the
wrong done. They accuse and condemn the repentant ones as if they themselves were guiltless. 4BC
1178.12
It has been shown me that the experience recorded in the third chapter of Zechariah is now being
acted over, and will continue to be while men, making profession of cleanness, refuse to humble the
heart and confess their sins (Letter 360, 1906). 4BC 1179.1
Zech 3 applies with force to us – PK 587 "Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with
peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing scenes of the great day of
atonement."
Zech 3 & 144,000 – PK 591-592 "As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for
purity of heart, the command is given, ‘take away the filthy garments," and the encouraging words
are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the tried,
tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore
to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb’s book of life,
enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not
been turned from their loyalty by the dragon’s roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter’s
devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A "fair miter" is set upon their heads.
While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and
fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon
Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father’s name written in their foreheads. They sing the
new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four
thousand which were redeemed from the earth. "
Now is reached the complete fulfillment of the words of the Angel: "Hear now, O Joshua the
high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for,
behold, I will bring forth My Servant the Branch." Zechariah 3:8. Christ is revealed as the
Redeemer and Deliverer of His people. Now indeed are the remnant "men wondered at,"
Applications
 “The Branch and the Latter Rain” (8)
 “Accuser of the Brethren"
 "Men wondered at" 144,000 are a sign to the last generation.
Chapter Outline
 Fourth Vision: Vision of Joshua the high priest (1-10)
Fourth Vision: Vision of Joshua the high priest (1-10)

VERSE [1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and
Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. [2] And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke
thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked
out of the fire? [3] Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. [4] And
he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments
from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will
clothe thee with change of raiment. [5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they
set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
[6] And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, [7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If
thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house,
and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. [8]
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men
wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. [9] For behold the stone that I
have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving
thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. [10] In that
day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig
tree.
3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing
at his right hand to resist him.
This vision of Joshua and Angel especially applies to the last generation:
PK 587 Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of
God’s people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be
brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has
gained control even of many professing Christians. But here is a little company who are resisting his
supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the
heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to
destroy the people of God. Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of
the divine law.
Here you have three persons. Angel of the Lord is standing, Joshua the high priest, and Satan.
“Joshua” means “Jehovah-saved.” So Joshua, along with Zerubbabel were men that led the first
group out of Babylon. Here in this vision, Joshua is standing before the angel of the Lord. We know
here that Joshua is the high priest. The role of the high priest was to minister in the most holy place.
To intercede to God on behalf of all the rest of God’s people for their sins and to cleanse their sins
from the most holy place. He was a representative for all of the Israelites and he was a
representative for us too. It represents God’s people.
“Angel of the Lord” – Christ.
Ex 3:2, 4 [2] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a
bush:… [4] And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst
of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
1Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Jn 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of
Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Michael means “Who is like God?”Why is He called an angel? Angel means Messenger. You are
looking at the Messenger of the Lord. Where is this scene taking place? In the heavenly temple. So
you are looking at the work of the Messenger of the Lord in His temple. What is He doing? How can
we prove it from the Bible? (Class comment: Daniel 3, he sent his angel to deliver that was Jesus
Christ. The experience of Joshua.) In Jude 9 He is called Michael. Michael means who is like God. In
Exodus when Moses saw the burning bush. He heard the voice. It says the Angel of the Lord said,
then later on it says the Lord spake. Giddeon met the Angel of the Lord, and later in the same
context it says the Lord spoke to Giddeon. It was Christ Himself.
Zech 3:4 …caused thine iniquity to pass…
He has just been cleansed from His sin. He has been purified. What is the final act of God’s
covenant? The blotting out of sin, the purification of God’s people from sin. (Jer 31:31-34; Jer 50:20;
Heb 8:9-12). That is why Christ is called the Messenger of the Covenant.
Mal 3:1… and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the
covenant, whom ye delight in…
This is speaking of Christ moving from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place to begin His work of
purification, the blotting out of sin. This is the same as
Dan 11:22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be
broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
“Prince of the Covenant” – which covenant? The New Covenant. And by His death of the cross He
will be able to fulfill the covenant. This is the same covenant spoken of in Dan 9:27.
“satan” – The word ‘satan” comes from Hebrew word ‘shatar” It means ‘to accuse” or ‘to act as an
adversary.” But when you put the article “ha,” it becomes noun, Satan. So when it doesn’t have the
article, it is translated as ‘to accuse” or ‘to act as an adversary.” If you accuse someone, you are
Satan. In Hebrew, “do not be an accuser” can be heard as “do not be Satan.” In Hebrew it means
‘shatan" It can be a verb or noun in the Hebrew. It means to accuse or to act as an adversary. (Note:
In the English language if you put a article before the adverb it means it is a person. It becomes a
pronoun.
If you place an article and say Has Shatan it means Devil. If you accuse someone they call you Satan
in the Hebrew understanding. It means accusing. This is what Satan is doing.
Par: so don’t you do it. This is the work of Satan. Do not accuse your brethren. An accusation means
you are cutting down someone’s reputation. If you have something to say about someone’s
weaknesses or mistakes, you must counsel them. If you know something about your roommate and
go and tell on them. The motivation that you do it with shows that you are either a counselor or
accuser. It is best to council them and pray with them. And take up for them if they listen, but if they
don’t listen to you, then you go to RA or staff. According to your motivation you become either
Satan or a counselor. This is the lesson (SERMON!!) there is a striking difference between Jesus and
Satan.
Satan can accuse him. He has legal ground, but God is standing beside Him and vindicating him,
based on his repentance and humiliation. In Isaiah we know that God is with the person who is
humble and contrite. As long as we have this we are ok and covered by Jesus Christ. True
repentance is turning away from sin and being humble before God.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which
accused them before our God day and night.
Accusation means “cutting the reputation down of someone.” If you have something to say
regarding to someone’s failure, weaknesses, problems, and sins, you don’t accuse! You counsel!
There is whole difference there. If you have anything in your mind that you know about your
roommate or your friends, and go to the staffs or teachers and tell them about your friends and
roommate before speaking to them first, that motivation will make you either Satan or counselor. I
want to see this in you as a final generation with integrity that you rather want to conceal the
wrongs and sins of brethrens, and counsel them, pray with them before you go to other person.
When the accusation comes for that person, you stand and vindicate for that person. When the
person doesn’t take your counsel, do not appreciate your counsel and keep on doing it, according to
the counsel of Christ, that is the time you go to RA, staffs, or teachers. According to your behavior
and motivation, you can either become Satan or a counselor.
“resist” means attack or accuse.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which
accused them before our God day and night.
Satan has always been the accuser of the brethren. The work that he did back then in accusing
Joshua he is doing today. What was Satan accusing Joshua of though?
PK 582-583 The steady advancement made by the builders of the temple greatly discomfited and
alarmed the hosts of evil. Satan determined to put forth still further effort to weaken and discourage
God’s people by holding before them their imperfections of character. If those who had long suffered
because of transgression could again be induced to disregard God’s commandments, they would be
brought once more under the bondage of sin. He (Satan) points to the transgressions of Israel as a
reason why they should not be restored to the favor of God. He claims them as his prey, and demands
that they be given into his hands.
Steps of Righteousness by Faith – Striking difference between Jesus and Satan: Accusation Of
Satan.
Joshua had iniquities of the past, clothed with filthy garments. He deserve to die, to be striped off of
his privileges. Satan has all the legal ground to accuse him. But God is standing beside, and He is
covering and vindicating Joshua, based upon his repentance and humiliation.
Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell
in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
As long as we have humbleness and contrite heart before the LORD, feel sorry for what we have
done, and turn away from it, which is true repentance, God will cover our past sins and cleanse us
from it. He will be our vindicator.
Zech 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath
chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
“Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” – Forgiveness.
Persecutions from the neighbor countries. Satan is instigating that problem. Jesus Christ is saying
this, “Come on Satan. Yes, they have failed. When they got all the accusation and persecutions from
Samaritan, they got angry and fought with them and made mistakes. But that is the fire you caused
it.” Christ takes consideration of our motives and surrounding environments. Our Lord is fair and
just. As long as we have Him as our lawyer in the heavenly court, we are safe.
Zech 3:3-5 [3] Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. [4] And he
answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from
him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment. [5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair
mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
“take away the filthy garments from him” – Justification
Before Christ clothes us with change of raiment, He takes away our filthy garments first. This is
direct attack against the New Theology which teaches that even we keep and wear our filthy clothes
on us, still Christ covers us with His righteousness. It never happens in that way! He has to take the
filthy garments first before He can put the new garments on it! He has to forgive us, not only the
cleansing of the record, but our heart and soul.
“set a fair mitre upon his head and clothed him with garment” – Renewing Of The Heart. It’s
the mitre of the priest. That mitre has golden plate with the word “Holiness unto the LORD” on it. Ex
28.
Zech 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge,
then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk
among these that stand by.
“If thou wilt walk in my ways” – Sanctification. When we have true repentance, and renewing of
the heart by the power of the HS, and walk in God’s ways continually.
“to walk among these that stand by” – Glorification.With this experience, we will be walking
with the angels in heaven.
Zech 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are
men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
“For they are men wondered at” – Sign Of All Generation. In Hebrew words, “Mopheth” having
literal meaning of ‘signet” or ‘sign.” So it means “For they are the sign for this generation.” Israelite’s
restoration is to be the demonstration of what God was willing to do for those who cooperate with
heaven. 144,000 will be the sign for the whole redeemed host to be a demonstration of what God
can do through His gospel.
“I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” – Christ Our Righteousness. That indicates that the
tree has been cut down once, and the new branch should grow; the righteousness of Christ.
Through this branch, God is going to bring New Israel.
Zech 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:
“Behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes” – Christ
Our Corner Stone
Rev 5:6 Stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes.
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both
the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
This is what happened at the time of the first building of Jerusalem. In the building, you only need
two corner stones, one for the bottom lines, other for the top lines; you don’t need all eight of them.
Now, they cut this stones out from other far places, and brought them in to Jerusalem. There was
not a single sound of the hammer. But as they were trying to put the corner stone, they could not
find right stone to put it. Thus the work was being delayed. They were looking for the corner stone.
And there was a stone laying on the ground neglected and despised. People fell upon that stone
many times looking other places for the corner stone. What a sovereign description of Christ! Christ
was traveling to and fro, every corners of Judea. While leaders were searching for the Messiah, they
fell upon that stone many times, but did not recognize that that was the corner stone to establish
the Jerusalem.
“I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” – Blotting Of Sin.Talking about the Day of
Atonement. We are not talking about the daily forgiveness experience, but we are talking about the
blotting out of sin experience.
“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua” – This stone has to do with the removing of
the iniquity of that land: the blotting out of sin in the Day of Atonement. After the sunset, those who
did not confess their sins were stoned to death. So the stone was symbolism for the final
destruction or executive judgment. Seven eyes describes the fact that nothing can be hidden from
the eyes of the Lord.
3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen
Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
“is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” – ‘this” is referring to Joshua the high priest who is
standing before the angel of the Lord (v.1). What does this mean? PK shows us that it means the
literal afflictions that God’s people go through. In this context the first interpretation is the
afflictions and persecutions that the Jews received from the neighboring countries, especially the
Samaritans (we get this from the historical context.) Satan instigated this problem.
Jesus is saying come on Satan who instigated this? Yes my people failed. When they were
persecuted by the Samaritans, they did get angry, they fought with them, they fell from time to time
and made mistakes. BUT THIS IS THE FIRE THAT YOU CAUSED. You did this. And I just pulled them
out of it. You caused it. Christ is taking into consideration everything that happened. And He is
saying why did it happen? What happened? How did they respond to it? He is our lawyer.
(*PO shows the mercy of God. We have no excuse to sin even under the most severe circumstances,
but when we fall this is how Christ deals with Satan.)
(*PO this connects with I John 1 & 2 Our Advocate, true repentance and confession and turning
away from sin.)
Before Christ put upon him a new garment. He took away the filthy garment first.
(NT Objection: They believe that we keep on our filthy clothes. And still Christ covers us with our
righteousness. It never happens like this. He must take away the filthy garment first. He must
forgive us. Not only cleansing our record but also our heart and souls. [*PO on this point: if you still
have on filthy garments this shows that you do not have to confess your sins. You do not have true
repentance until the garments are removed.] the He will declare that you are just.)
Justified means that when we come to Him and confess and He sees our motivation and we are right
with God. Then He changes our mind and heart by the power of the HS. Then he sees that our heart
is pure like His. Then we are justified. It is not just a pronouncement because we have His garment
on. And especially if we have on our filthy garments.
“brand” means “a poker or rake for turning and fathering embers from a fire”.
“plucked” means ‘to preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil and strip.” Satan was named an
accuser of God’s people. But this vision as good and comfortable words to the people of God.
3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Joshua was clothed in filthy garments. Satan was accusing Joshua of the sins that he had. His
garments were filthy.
Jude 23 – referring to spotted garments of sin.
Is 64:6 – our righteousness is like filthy rags.
But because Joshua was a high priest ministering in the sanctuary, he didn’t just represent himself.
He was also representing the Israelite nation and the sins that they had committed.
PK 583 The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not
claim that Israel is free from fault. In filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which
he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to
their repentance and humiliation, and relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer. In faith
he claims the promises of God. (.3)
4BC 1178 1-3. False Accuser.--Those who honor God and keep His commandments are subject to the
accusations of Satan. The enemy works with all his energy to lead persons into sin. Then he pleads
that on account of their past sins, he should be allowed to exercise his hellish cruelty on them as his
own subjects. Of this work Zechariah has written. "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest"--a
representative of the people who keep the commandments of God--’standing before the angel of the
Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Christ is our High Priest. Satan stands before
Him night and day as an accuser of the brethren. With his masterly power he presents every
objectionable feature of character as sufficient reason for the withdrawal of Christ’s protecting
power, thus allowing Satan to discourage and destroy those whom he has caused to sin. But Christ
has made atonement for every sinner. Can we by faith hear our Advocate saying, ‘the Lord rebuke
thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out
of the fire?
3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments
from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe
thee with change of raiment.
Joshua is clothed with filthy garments and the Lord says to the angel standing before him to take
away the filthy garments. These filthy garments represent his “iniquity.” By taking away the filthy
garment, the Lord has caused Joshua’s iniquity to pass before Him
“pass” meaning ‘to cover.” How is it covered? With the clothing that the Lord will put on him.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the
fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
He is clothed with the garment of righteousness which is from Jesus Christ. Satan can only accuse of
our past sins. But if we have confessed and repented of our sins, they are no longer applicable to us.
3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed
him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
What is a mitre? It is a head dress (a piece of cloth wrapped around), a diadem, a hood. Joshua is
being clothed with the clothing of a high priest (Ex 28:4)
3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
“protested” – Meaning to duplicate or repeat. To admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up, testify, give
warning, witness. So this angel is giving a solemn message to Joshua. A message of warning. But
before the angel gave this warning message, Joshua had to have his iniquity cleansed from him and
be clothed with clothing from the Lord.
3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou
shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these
that stand by.
Conditions given: “Walk in My ways”
Jer 17:10 – our ways will be judged by God
Prov 16:2 – our ways always seem right in our own eyes, but God will be the judge
Is 42:24 – to be obedient to the law
Dan 4:37 – the ways of God are judgment
Micah 4:2 – the ways of God is His law
“Keep My charge” – observance, duty, Ecc 12:13…This is the whole duty of man – to fear God and
keep His commandments. Both these conditions given are related to obedience to the law. If the two
conditions are met, this is what will happen:
“thou shalt also judge my house”
“shalt also keep my courts”
“I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” – This is a conditional prophecy
which we know that the literal Jews did not meet. So the results are transferred over to our time
along with the conditions. God expects the same of His people today when He said it back then to
the literal Jews. This means if you obey my commandments. I will give you the privilege to walk
among the angels
(*Study and find supporting texts.) And in this RBF illustration. We see that God vindicates us
before Satan. He vindicates us on the grounds of true repentance and confession and humility. He
removes our garments and puts on the new raiment, and He gives us a Mitre. This is the Mitre of the
priest. According to Ex 28 on this mitre there is a golden plate, and on it it says “Holiness unto the
Lord”.
3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men
wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
“for they [are] men wondered at” – From verse to verse we see the experience of RBF in steps.
What does it mean the men “wondered” at. Wondered in the Hebrew = Mopheth. It is a translation
that means literally a signet or sign. This is the literal translation. It means that these people are a
Sign! Joshua was a sign to his generation. This is what it means. And Israel after their restoration
would be a demonstration or sign of what God was willing to do with those who cooperate with
heaven. These people are the signs for this land!
LDP: The 144,000 are a sign for the last generation and all of the generations that have been on this
earth for the last 6,000 years. They are a demonstration of what God can do through His gospel. God
is saying ‘tHESE ARE MY SIGNS!"
(*PO you can also connect this with Rev the 144,000 being the first fruits)
“BRANCH” – It stops right here. It just says He will bring forth the Branch, but He does not say what
the Branch will do. For them it has reference to Christ coming the first time. For us it refers to His
Second coming Chapter 6 gives you the added details as to what the work of the branch will be
during His FIRST COMING and prior to HIS SECOND COMING. Now next when it talks about this
stone. It is not Christ. It just mentioned Him as the Branch. But who is Joshua? A high priest. So this
stone is associated with the office of high priest
“BRANCH” means to bring forth.
Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his
people from their sins. Jesus was brought forth out of Mary.
His name means to save them from their sins. Jesus cleansed Joshua and saved him from his sins by
putting His own robe of righteousness upon Joshua. So in the last days, Jesus will save us from our
sins by passing over them. By removing our iniquities and clothing us with His own righteousness.
This is the righteousness by faith message.
1 Pet 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light:
“chosen” – The Lord hath chosen Jerusalem
“royal priesthood” – Just as Joshua was given the high priestly robes, Christ is wishing to do the
same for us today. We are all to be priests with Christ.
“holy nation” – We are become a holy nation because Jesus Christ has cleansed us from all our own
iniquities and clothes us with His righteousness.
“peculiar people” – “men wondered at” – the remnant will be a peculiar people because they are l
iving up to the light given. They will be so different to the rest of the world.
PK 592 Now is reached the complete fulfillment of the words of the Angel: "Hear now, O Joshua the
high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will
bring forth My Servant the Branch." Zechariah 3:8. Christ is revealed as the Redeemer and Deliverer
of His people. Now indeed are the remnant "men wondered at," as the tears and humiliation of
their pilgrimage give place to joy and honor in the presence of God and the Lamb. "In that day shall
the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and
comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he
that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone that is written among the living in
Jerusalem." Isaiah 4:2, 3.
These eyes on the stone are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro throughout the whole earth –
4:10.
“engrave” – To loosen, being, plough, carve. What is being engraved?
“the graving” – Sculpture. This part of the prophecy has not been fulfilled yet:
“I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” – This is not referring to one literal day
though. It cannot be.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Before God will remove the iniquity in all the land, He will search out every person. He will judge
every person to see whether they are worthy having their iniquities covered and to be clothed with
the righteousness of Jesus.
The Branch & The Latter Rain
TM 112
Shaking & Old Testament. Principles of Interpretation – Literal Local VS. Spiritual Worldwide
3SM 338 – Summation of principle
Is 11:1, 10 [1]…root of Jesse… [10]…root of Jesse…
The Hebrew definition shows that the word Branch properly means that which shoots up or
sprouts from the root of a tree, in the sense that the tree is decayed. It gives the idea that Jesse
should fall like an aged tree, and yet the root would sprout up and live. This word Branch occurs
several times in the OT and the majority gives a direct reference to the Messiah.
Overview: The word “Branch” has to deal with the humanity of Jesus Christ, but beyond that it
represents two things: 1. His Kingship and 2. His work as High Priest. In order for Him to be King
and be our High Priest He had to take sinful fallen humanity upon Himself. The book of Zechariah
focuses on these two characteristics of His work. The first part points out His work as High Priest
and the second part covers His work as King. Why? Because these two offices must be employed in
order for Christ to choose Jerusalem and also to cause them to inhabit Jerusalem and dwell safely.
He chooses His people through the work of intercession and you see that in chapter 3, and He
protects His people by fighting their enemies as King (chap 9-14 in Rev 5 & 6 prelude Jesus as Lion,
King seals church in warfare).
Notice the theme of Zechariah. Jerusalem shall be inhabited (choose Jerusalem).
Zech 2:4 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine
linen is the righteousness of saints.
Jerusalem will be inhabited.
Zech 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem
shall be safely inhabited.
Deals with how Jerusalem will be inhabited (inbetween, how).
Zech 1:17 ...choose Jerusalem...
Zech 2:12 ...choose Jerusalem again...
Zech 3:2 ...chosen Jerusalem...
Breakdown:
Zech 1:1-6 [1] In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto
Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, [2] The LORD hath been sore
displeased with your fathers. [3] Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn
ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. [4]Be ye not as
your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn
ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me,
saith the LORD. [5] Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? [6] But my
words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your
fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to
our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Defense of the SOP (insert)
Zech 1:7-13, 16 [7] ¶ Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month
Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah,
the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 8I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and
he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses,
speckled, and white. 9Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said
unto me, I will shew thee what these be. 10And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered
and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. 11And they
answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and
fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. [12 ¶ Then the angel of the
LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on
the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? 13And
the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. [16]
Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it,
saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
My house shall be built
Let’s discuss the work of the Branch as High Priest.
Zech 3:2-4 [2] And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that
hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? [3] Now Joshua was
clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. [4] And he answered and spake unto those
that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold,
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Plucked out of fire, change of raiment.
Zech 3:2 …the Lord rebuke thee…
Can you think of anywhere else where Jesus is being described as an Angel and He is rebuking
Satan?
Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of
Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Body of Moses; who does Moses represent? The saints who will be resurrected. So He is disputing
over the righteous dead. But in Zech 3 He is disputing over the who? Righteous living.
Is 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do
fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Righteousness as filthy rags (Opt)
Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither
hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Cause iniquity to pass is Justification.
Is 61:10 Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
Robe of Righteousness. Represents Righteousness of Christ from Him living a sinless life in sinful
flesh.
Is 53:11 …by His knowledge, He shall justify…
Zech 3:7 …if ..walk in my ways…
This shows in order for the blessing of justification to be retained you must continue to walk in
God’s ways.
Jude 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by
the flesh.
Garments spotted by the flesh
Zech 6
Is 60:10 …strangers shall build up thy walls.
Work of the Branch as King
Zech 10:1-3 [1] Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright
clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. [2] or the idols have spoken
vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore
they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.
Zech 10:3 …visited….Judah…horse in the battle…
The imagery is given of warfare. Who does Judah represent? The church, so what do you have in
Zech 10? A picture of the church of God under the outpouring of the latter rain going into last
conflict under the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Zech 10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as
they have increased.
Ps 147:2 …the LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel…
The building of Jerusalem is simply the gathering of the people. The building of the temple is simply
the gathering of the people. The phrase “gather them” is your link back to Chapter 6 build the
temple it is the same thing. Verses 9-10 describe where he gathers them from and verse 10
describes the final overthrow of the enemies of God.
Conclusion: Finish the work with the Branch as King before us. Stay under the Banner and guard it
with our lives. Civil War Story
Miscellaneous Study
Zech 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:
Eyes. Heb 5869 eye 495, sight 216, seem 19, colour 12, fountain 11, well 11, face 10, presence 8,
before 4, face 10,12. Of physical eye. Showing mental qualities, of mental and spiritual faculties
Greek 3788 eye 101, sight 1; 10213. the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing.
Ps 11:4 …the LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his
eyelids try, the children of men...
Ps 17:2 ...Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are
equal...
Ps 34:15 …the eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous,...
Ps 66:7 ...his eyes behold the nations...
Prov 15:3 ...The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good…
Prov 16:2 ...All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits....
1 Pet 3:12 ...eyes of the Lord are over the righteous...
EGW Quotes on the Branch
Shaking & Old Testament Prophecies – TM 112 "God’s Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy Writ,
but there are those upon whom it makes little impression, because it is imperfectly
understood. When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface
readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of
their feelings of bitterness. . . . Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other
prophecies of the Old and New Testaments."
Prophets spoke more for us – 3SM 338 "" Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy
and our salvation. Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so
that their prophesying is in force for us.""
3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will
engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one
day.
“stone” – This stone has to do with removing the iniquity of the land. So this stone represents the
day of atonement. Those who did not forsake their sins they cast lots, which symbolized the
judgment of God. And when they found them they took them out of the camp and stoned them to
death. So the stone is symbolic for the final destruction or investigative judgment. The seven eyes
symbolize the intelligence of God who knows everything. Nothing can escape from Him. Eyes
represent our wisdom, knowledge and intellect. 7 eyes mean perfect knowledge of our sins. In
which one day He will eliminate our sins on the day of atonement. This verse is written with the
assumption that you understand the office of high priest. When the priest performed his work he
was to have a stone, and in this stone all the names of the children of Israel where to be written in it.
And as he interceded on their behalf they would be forgiven and their sins blotted out. (earthly
sanctuary; day of atonement; for them in happened in type, and would happen again when they
finished the temple in type. It is more for us.)
What else does this stone represent? Can you think of Jesus using the illustration of a stone before?
Isa 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both
the houses of Israel,
This stone is called a stumbling block. This is the history of the rebuilding of Jerusalem for the first
time. At this time they were looking for a cornerstone.
Note: There are two types of cornerstones. When you build a wall you must have one for both ends.
But you don’t need 8 cornerstones, you only need one. When you put two, all of the other stones
will be aligned after it. going across and diagonally.
King Solomon came out and said what is the delay? They said that they couldn’t work with the
cornerstone. At the time of the building of this temple there was not a sound or hammering or
nailing. Because the stones were precut and measured things exactly. So they brought them in and
they fell in place. Later they realized that the one they walked over was used. This was a illustration
of Jesus. Jesus went everywhere through Judea, to every corner. But the leaders fell over it, because
of this stone, but they didn’t realize he was a cornerstone to establish a new church for spiritual
Israel.
(*PO Goes with Rev 19. New Jerusalem is His bride. They are measured and precut, and now they fit
perfectly and make up the New Jerusalem. They have been refined. Etc. Study!) Do we know of
anywhere in the Bible where Jesus has 7 eyes? Rev. 5 A lamb that has seven eyes.
"behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the
iniquity of that land in one day" – What day is “one day” during the year? This is talking about the
day of atonement. This is speaking of the blotting out of sin.
Note: There is only one other place in the Bible that describes the concept of stone and engraving.
So Joshua has a stone, and God is saying I will engrave the gravings of what? ALL THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL.
Exo 28:1, 9, 11 [1] Aaron..priest’s office… [9] And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on
them the names of the children of Israel: [11] With the work of an engraver in stone, [like] the
engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel:
And after the last name is written. God says
“I will remove the iniquity…in one day” – You are looking at the time when all the names of the
citizens of heavenly Jerusalem will be written in the record books, after that all the sins of the
righteous will be blotted out. AND THEN AFTER THEIR SINS ARE BLOTTED OUT. I will send the
Branch. HERE YOU HAVE THE SECOND COMING!!
Side note: This also makes it clear that the blotting out of sin will be a corporate act. When the last
name is written then all sins will be blotted out. Zechariah means God remembers, so God is going
to remember the names of those whose sins are blotted out. We are graven in the palms of His
hands.
Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before
me.
“seven eyes” (still investigating)
The witness of the Holy Spirit. I believe it shows that the Holy Spirit will witness the names of those
who will have their names immortalized in heaven. It is through the perfect work of the Holy Spirit
that your name will be written in heaven. It is because of His work that your sins will be blotted out.
It is because of His work that you receive a change of raiment. And He does this work several
different ways but especially through the Word of God. That is why chapter 4 is about the Holy
Spirit and the Word of God.
First application: Satan is saying you can’t chose them, Christ is saying I can choose them, why?
Because I will do for them what I have done for Joshua. I will forgive them, and their names will be
written and I will remove their sin and I can dwell among them. For us, this shows how He can
chose us His church and dwell with us throughout eternity. That is what chapters 13 and 14 are
about.
3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under
the fig tree.
“In that day” – The day that the Lord will remove the iniquity of that land. In that day we will call
every man his neighbour under the vine and the fig tree. This part of the prophecy has not been
fulfilled yet: “ye shall call every man his neighbor.”
This is referring to true prosperity and a time of peace.
Chapter 4 - Transformation of the character by God’s spirit
The Vision of the Seven Lamps and the Two Olive Trees
TA 150 Immediately after Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the angel, given to the high priest as a
personal testimony for his own encouragement and the encouragement of all the people of God, the
prophet received a personal testimony regarding the work of Zerubbabel. ‘the angel that talked with
me," Zechariah declares, "came again, and waked me, as a man that is waked out of his sleep, and said
unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl
upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon
the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the
left side thereof."--RH Jan. 16, 1908….‘then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-
trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and
said unto him, what be these two olive-branches which through the two golden pipes empty the
golden oil out of themselves? and he answered me and said, ". . . . These are the two anointed ones,
that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” The anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth
have the position once given to Satan as coveringcherub. By the holy beings surrounding His throne,
the Lord keeps up a constant communication with the inhabitants of the earth.--RH July 20, 1897.
A Constant Flow of Oil
And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two
golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou
not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand
by the Lord of the whole earth. Zech. 4:12-14.
YRP 17 The continual communication of the Holy Spirit to the church is represented by the prophet
Zechariah under another figure, which contains a wonderful lesson of encouragement for us. The
prophet says: ‘the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out
of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all
of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven
lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl,
and the other upon the left side thereof.
‘so I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? . . .
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying,
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. . . . And I answered again, and
said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the
golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the
Lord of the whole earth" (Zech. 4:1-14).
From the two olive trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the
candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones
that stand in God’s presence, His Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated
to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s
people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s presence. As the olive trees empty
becomes a light-bearer in the world.--Review and Herald, Mar. 2, 1897.
Chapter Outline

Fifth Vision: The two olive trees and golden candlestick (1-14)
VERSE [1] And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened
out of his sleep. [2] And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a
candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes
to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: [3] And two olive trees by it, one upon the right
side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. [4] So I answered and spake to the angel
that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? [5] Then the angel that talked with me
answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. [6] Then he
answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by
might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. [7] Who art thou, O great mountain?
before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with
shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. [8] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [9]
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and
thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. [10] For who hath despised the day
of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with
those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. [11] Then
answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick
and upon the left side thereof? [12] And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two
olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? [13]
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. [14] Then
said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
Theme of this vision: God showed this vision to teach that “Not by might, nor by power, but by my
spirit.” You cannot operate church, institution, or any other work of God by your own endeavors,
esteems, and plans, but by His Spirit alone.
4:1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his
sleep,
What is the meaning of the candlesticks? What was God trying to teach Zechariah.
4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold,
with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which
[are] upon the top thereof:
This automatically puts us in the holy place of the sanctuary where the golden candlesticks are.
“seven lamps”
Rev 4:5 …and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven
Spirits of God…
4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side]
thereof.
What are these two olive trees?
Rev 11:3-4
Another word for witness is to testify. These two represent the old and new testament. In the days
of Zechariah, they didn’t have a new testament. So it simply represents the Word of God.
4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What [are] these, my lord?
Zechariah didn’t know what the two olive trees were.
4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be?
And I said, No, my lord.
4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel,
saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The interpretation of the vision was for Zerubbabel – not Zechariah or Joshua. Zerubbabel means
“descended from Babylon”
“by my spirit" – That makes it clear that the candlestick and seven lamps represent the Holy Spirit.
This is what it means. You cannot operate the church or nation by your own might. Your own plans.
It can only happen by my Spirit. This is the purpose of the vision. There is a bowl above the
candlesticks. Then two olive tress were on the left and right that connected to the bowl. From the
bowl there were seven pipes that went to every branch of the candlesticks.
Oil stands for HS.
4BC 1179 The oil is received into vessels prepared for the oil. It is the Holy Spirit in the heart which
works by love and purifies the soul. . .
Two olive trees represents the heavenly messengers, and also those who receive it from the
heavenly messengers : Jerubbabel and Joshua.
TM 510 So from the holy ones that stand in God’s presence, His Spirit is imparted to human
instrumentalities that are consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to
communicate light and power to God’s people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s
presence. As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the heavenly messengers
seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits our demand
and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it. Thus it is that the holy
lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world.
Similar Vision In the book of Revelation:
Rev 11:3,4 [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two
hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two
candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Two witnesses represents Old and New Testament:
GC 267 The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament.
The Story of the Ten Virgins
We can remind of the story of the Ten Virgins:
4BC 1179 We all need to study as never before the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them were wise,
and five were foolish. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. This is the holy oil
represented in Zechariah [Zech. 4:11-14 quoted].
Matt 25:1-5 [1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
[3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps. [5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
“slumber” and ‘sleep” cannot happen together. It should be one or the other. Which means one
group must be slumbered, while others were sleeping. According to the structure of the sentence,
they are described in two parts: Wise and foolish. Thus, ‘slumbered” have to describe the wise,
‘slept” have to describe the foolish. Slumber means you are half awake and half asleep, while they
were waiting for Jesus out of tired and fatigue. But they time to time awake. Sleeping means you
just totally go into unconsciousness.
The Angel described them as the two anointed ones. Why does this symbolize? A flowing of the Holy
Spirit into the church and nation. Not by might but by His Spirit. So all of these things were done by
His Spirit. Even the decree of Darius was done by His Spirit. Without it there would be no
restoration of the city or temple. This is the purpose of the whole vision. Oil represents the Holy
Spirit. We see the parable of the 10 virgins here Matt 25. All of them had oil to start with. The
foolish virgins lost their oil. And later it became apparent. All of the virgins slumbered and slept.
The wise ones slumbered and the foolish ones slept. Slumbered is half awake and half sleep. When
you sleep you are unconscious. Because of no apparent signs of Christ’s coming they went to sleep.
But the wise virgins had the same problem in their hearts. Christ was not coming how they
expecting Him too. So out of fatigue they slumbered, but they would try to awake themselves and be
sober but they couldn’t awake themselves 100%.
Why did the olive tree represent the HS? In the sanctuary God instructed them to only use olive oil.
Why? Olive oil is the hardest oil to squeeze out. You must pound it and press it very hard.
Gethsemane means oil (or wine) press. There is great meaning in Christ sleeping in the garden of
Gethsemane to pray before the night he was crucified. Because of His suffering and death we are
able to receive the Holy Spirit. In the temple, they only used olive oil, not any other oil. Olive oil was
the hardest oil to squeeze out. You have to pressed really hard in order to take little amount of oil.
“Gethsemane” has the meaning of “oil presser.” Jesus Christ selected the garden Gethsemane to pray
in the night before He was crucified. Because of His suffering and death, He pressed the oil out, we
are able to receive the HS. Play of HS in the church and nation.
These two olive trees are giving oil constantly to the candlesticks. In order for you to receive this
you must be connected to the oil having a living relationship constantly. What are the two olive
trees that are the two anointed ones? The Old and New Testaments. (BSM: This is our application
because during that time they didn’t have a new testament. The first application is Zerubbabel and
Joshua. They were the ones who gave light to them at this time. Study! Later when dealing with the
church as a whole it applies to the Old and New testament of the bible.) This goes with what Ellen
White says. The fifth vision is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit.
4:7 Who [art] thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain: and he shall bring
forth the headstone [thereof with] shoutings, [crying], Grace, grace unto it.
“headstone” – to build; a stone:—+ carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, [chalk-, hail-, bead-, sling-]
stone (-ny), (divers) weight (-s). Zerubbabel shall bring forth this headstone with shoutings, crying
“Grace, grace unto it.”
4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and
thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
The Lord also makes the gracious promise that Zerubbabel who had laid the foundation of the
temple should finish it.
4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in
the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through
the whole earth.
“seven; they are the eyes..the whole earth” – So there are seven eyes sent through the whole
earth.
Rev 5:6 Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent forth into all the earth.
Both the seven lamps and seven eyes represent the Holy Spirit.
4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What [are] these two olive trees upon the right [side] of the
candlestick and upon the left [side] thereof?
“two olive trees" – Notice that he is asking about the olive trees, not the candlestick with the seven
lamps!!
4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] two olive branches which through the
two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves?
4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my lord.
4:14 Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
The olive trees represent the Word of God. The seven lamps represent the Holy Spirit. So the whole
thing together represents the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.
Chapter 5 - Process by which sin is to be rooted out from God’s people.
Flying Roll Destroys Peace – Ed 144 [Zech 5:1-4 quoted] Against every evildoer God’s law utters
condemnation. He may disregard that voice, he may seek to drown its warning, but in vain. It
follows him. It makes itself heard. It destroys his peace. If unheeded, it pursues him to the grave. It
bears witness against him at the judgement. A quenchless fire, it consumes at last soul and body"
Applications
 the Woman in the Epaph (5-8)
Chapter Outline
 Sixth vision: the flying roll (1-4)
 Seventh vision: the ephah (5-11)
Sixth Vision: A flying Roll (1-4)

VERSE [1] Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. [2] And he
said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty
cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. [3] Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth
forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side
according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. [4] I will
bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the
house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and
shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
5:1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
5:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof [is]
twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
20 by 10 is translated to be 37 feet by 17 feet. Cubit means 18 inches. From the tip of the middle
finger to the end of the elbow. (Some say this represents the sanctuary. The holy place and MHP
together were 43 by 15 feet. Not including the outer court.)
This scroll was large, but the fact that he was able to describe the measurements shows that it is
wide open. It is big describing the magnitude of the curse. And people will be cursed and judged
according to this scroll. God points out two specific sins. Stealing and swearing. ‘thou shalt not
steal” is the eight commandment. Which belongs to the second tablet that describes our
relationship to our fellow man. Swearing is the third commandment that describes our duty to God.
Since its measure is seen by Jeremiah, he could see that It’s wide open, big scroll flying in the air. It
means the magnitude of the curse. It’s judging and curse people’s sin. God is calling out two specific
sins here: stealing (thief), swearing (sweareth). Stealing is breaking of 8th commandment which is
for human. Swearing is breaking of the 3rd commandment which is for God.
These two flying scrolls represent the two tables of God’s commandments flying as a scroll. And
these two tablets are judging people. These two commandments are visiting every household to see
if they have sins in their house. It is judging and cursing them.
“Cubit” – length between your forefinger tip to the elbow of the king. Obviously different king had
different length, thus there were tremendous confusion at that time.
Summary thus far: In chapter 3 we saw the vision of Joshua and the Angel that shows that God is
pardoning and cleansing His people. In chapter 4 we see the sealing message of the Holy Spirit. He
is sealing people. In the fifth vision we see that the people are to have a change of raiment with a
gold mitre of their head. They should have a blotting out of sin experience. And chapter 5 shows
that you should not have sins in your heart. If you do you will be cursed. (*PO this is talking about
cherished sins, things that happen behind closed doors.) God will not purify His church while they
are cherishing known sins and iniquity in their house. The sixth vision is showing that even though
you are saved, the commandments will still judge you if you commit sin after your pardoning
experience.
The seventh vision is the vision of Epah. This is a dry measure. It is a big vessel to measure barley,
grain, wheat, and rice. You must have a dry measure to measure this. This is what Epha is. One Epha
was equivalent to five gallons back then. But this Epha was not big enough to contain one woman
inside of it. This epah was not mentioned because of its volume, but because of its shape. He saw a
shape that was bigger than the actual size of an Epah. God is taking a big lid to cover this Epah. And
while He is trying to cover this Epah the woman is trying to escape. Then He just pushed it down
and put a heavy lead cover on it.
5:3 Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every
one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut
off [as] on that side according to it.
“Cut off…according to it” - That shows us that these big scroll representing God’s
commandments: five for God, five for human. These commandments are visiting every houses to
search their sins.
5:4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the
house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall
consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Seventh Vision: The ephah (5-11)

VERSE [5] Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes,
and see what is this that goeth forth. [6] And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that
goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. [7] And, behold,
there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. [8]
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of
lead upon the mouth thereof. [9] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out
two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they
lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. [10] Then said I to the angel that talked with
me, Whither do these bear the ephah? [11] And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of
Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
This vision is about the complete and final removal of sin and sinners from the chosen nation.
5:5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see
what [is] this that goeth forth.
“This is wickedness” – The woman is symbolizing wicked church of Israel. She was covered by lid
and carried into the Babylon. Wickedness is describing this woman. She was a harlot. This woman
symbolized the wickedness that was taking place in Israel. Now the church is in the Babylon. She
had same wickedness as Babylonians. Thus God told two angels to carry this woman into the
Babylon. Illustration of the captivity of the Babylon.
The purpose of God’s true education is to call out the young people from the philosophies and
practices of Babylon. To fill them with the truth and HS, and send them back to the Babylon to
rescue God’s people.
5:6 And I said, What [is] it? And he said, This [is] an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This [is]
their resemblance through all the earth.
“Ephah” – Ephah is a measuring tool to measure grains: 1 Ephah = 5 gallons. 1 Ephah is not big
enough to contain one woman in there. It’s not mentioned for the volume, but for the shape.
5:7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this [is] a woman that sitteth in the midst of the
ephah.
5:8 And he said, This [is] wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of
lead upon the mouth thereof.
5:9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind [was] in
their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth
and the heaven.
She was trying to escape, he says no, and places them in
5:10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
Two women came and bore away the woman.
5:11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set
there upon her own base.
“Shinar" – These women belong in Babylon. So let’s take them to Babylon. This gives us a good
understanding of Babylon from this. Judah was in one location. Shinar was in another. A woman
was symbolized in a Epah. She symbolized the wicked church or nation. We are talking about the
wicked people of God, not the righteous. He places a lid on them and two angels take her to Shinar.
Question: the church is in Babylon, but is the church Babylon? No. This woman has the same
wickedness in her that existed in Babylon. That is why God says take her to Babylon, she doesn’t
belong here. This woman was in Judah. She had the sins of Babylon, but she was not Babylon that is
why she was transferred to Babylon. She was not born in Babylon, she was taken to Babylon.
We have two applications. This applies to the nation of Israel when they were going to be taken
captive to Babylon. And Two this describes the final executive judgment. (*PO those who will leave
God’s church and finally be destroyed with Babylon). Even though she is taken to Babylon because
she has their sins, she does not belong. If she repents she can be recovered.
Also we can look at it as follows: Even though they returned from Babylon if they cherish those sins
God will count them as being part of Babylon. It depends on how you want to look at it. In Rev 17
we see the daughters of Babylon. There are churches out there that are a part of Babylon. Why?
Because they did not repent and decide to come to the light and truth. And because of that in the
executive judgment they will be lost. This vision is saying if you stay in wickedness like Babylon,
you will be a part of Babylon. But the second application can be after they return from Babylonian
captivity if they still have those sins, return them.
The SDA church will never be Babylon (*PO but some people will leave the church and join
Babylon.) This church (church triumohant) will never reject the state of the dead and Sabbath
observance. Some will receive mark of the beast in forehead and right-hand. They will become
slaves and have to work. Those who receive the mark.
Note: History shows that in the Roman Empire all the slaves and soldiers who were bought by
money had a signet on their hand, they had to work by the command of the government.
The SDA church will never be Babylon. The true SDA’s will be the minority. But the head of the
church and those who choose to follow the NSL will be a part of Babylon. The organization heads
may, but the true SDA’s will never become Babylon. Many leaders will compromise and no longer
be true SDA’s. When you join the apostasy you are no longer a SDA. Those who receive and
experience the truth will be true SDA’s.
The purpose of the organization to advance the work. And order for our teachings and practices.
The most essential to keep the organization together is money. Without it no secretaries, paper,
computers, and salaries. Without it all the hirelings will leave. We will be ordered by the Holy Spirit.
This will come at the time of the NSL.
“sweeping away of the structure” – We will go out with angels to finish the work in righteousness.
Prov 30:24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
This is talking about the last generation. God hid this wisdom for us
Prov 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
Even though you don’t see a cold blizzard during the winter you prepare yourself. Take the word of
God and store it in your mind. This the last generation.
Prov 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Conies are rock badgers who look like he goats. They live in the mountains. When they are attacked
by wild animals they go into the rock. The rock is Jesus. When we have enemies attacking us hide in
Christ.
Prov 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
They don’t have any kings, but they march in ranks, they march by bands. The 144,000 while under
the leadership of the HS. They will work harmoniously. The will walk in ranks, they will have no GC
president.
Prov 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
Spider in the original means a lizard. If you cut the tail of a lizard it grows back. Even though Satan
will cut your arms, legs, or tails spiritually. Even though you are cut by temptations and trials you
will grow back. And you will live in the palace in heaven. As long as you stay there Christ will heal
you and it will grow back. This is the experience of the 144,000. This is the true church in the last
days.
Summary
If you have wickedness in your heart and cherish it. God will forsake you and you will be a part of
Babylon. This is what we learn in chapter 6. So the purpose of God’s true modern education is to:
Call out young people from the philosophies and practices of Babylon. Fill them with the truth and
the HS and send them out to Babylon. (this is what true education is to do.) We see this in Rev 18:4
they call them out. Unless you are pulled out of it, you cannot call them out.
Chapter 6 - God’s supervision on affairs of the earth
Counsel of Peace – GC 415-417 that Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the
abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness to unite with
angels who have never fallen and to dwell forever in the presence of God… The work of Christ as
man’s intercessor is presented in that beautiful prophecy of Zechariah concerning Him "whose
name is the Branch." Says the prophet: "He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon His [the Father’s] throne; and He shall be a priest upon His
throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between Them both." Zechariah 6:12, 13. "He shall build the
temple of the Lord." By His sacrifice and mediation Christ is both the foundation and the
builder of the church of God. [Eph 2:20-22 quoted] "He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the
glory of redemption for the fallen race. Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones will
be: "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, . . . to Him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever." Revelation 1:5, 6. He ‘shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be
a priest upon His throne." Not now "upon the throne of His glory;" the kingdom of glory has not
yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God "give unto Him
the throne of His father David," a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end." Luke 1:32, 33. As a
priest, Christ is now set down with the Father in His throne. Revelation 3:21."
Reading
 PK 57-58
This is the eighth vision. He saw four chariots that came out from two mountains of brass. What
does this mean? (Hint: You can find a hint in Rev 1. Christ’s feet are made with fine brass.) When
brass immediately comes out of the furnace it is very shiny and brilliant. In the ancient times when
they talk about brass it means very shiny and mirror like. In the old times they shined it to make it
shiny. They are coming out of the throne of God.
Chapter Outline
 Vision of the four chariots (1-8)
 Vision of the BRANCH (9-15)
Vision of the four chariots (1-8)

VERSE [1] And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots
out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. [2] In the first
chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; [3] And in the third chariot white
horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. [4] Then I answered and said unto the
angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? [5] And the angel answered and said unto me,
These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the LORD of all the
earth. [6] The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth
after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. [7] And the bay went forth, and
sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to
and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. [8] Then cried he upon me,
and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in
the north country.
6:1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from
between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
“Four chariots coming out of the two mountains of brass” – We can find a hint in Rev 1:5.
Rev 1:5 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice
as the sound of many waters.
When the brass comes out from the furnace, it was very shiny and brilliant. So in the ancient time,
when they talk about brass, It’s very shiny and mirror-like metal. Actually they used brass as a
mirror. So this two brass mountains represent the throne of God. Four chariots are coming out of
the throne of God.
Four spirits of the heaven.
Red horses
Black horses
White horses
Grisled(spotted gray) and bay(strong) horses
We do not know the exact meaning of different colors, but we know that these are representation of
the holy angels to the surrounding nations of Judea including Persia(north country).
6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
6:3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
6:4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?
6:5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth
from
standing before the Lord of all the earth.
“spirits of the heavens” – We have red, black, white, spotted grey, and bay or strong horses. This
means that God sent these four angels to this earth for a purpose.
6:6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after
them; and the
grisled go forth toward the south country.
6:7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he
said, Get you
hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
6:8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country
have quieted
my spirit in the north country.
This means that we don’t need to know why they are different colors. We only need to know that
these 4 chariots represent the work of the holy angels to the surrounding nations of Judea including
Persia. The northern country simply means the Persian empire. God’s angels went there to work on
the hearts of kings and princes during those days to soften their hearts. They are working on their
hearts so that they can encourage them to help the Jews to go back to their land to rebuild
Jerusalem and the temple.
(*PO this shows how God is working on the hearts of the leaders of this nation in order for our work
to continue to go forward. This shows God’s work on the political powers of this nation. Study in
connection with the seals. The seals show God’s church as they fight through the affairs of the land,
but Zech 6 shows what God is doing in the affairs with the government while we are doing our
work.)
“quieted my spirit” – He had peace because he saw God working on them to restore the temple of
God.
Vision of the BRANCH (9-15)

VERSE [9] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [10] Take of them of the captivity, even
of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day,
and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah; [11] Then take silver and gold, and make
crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest; [12] And speak
unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The
BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: [13] Even
he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his
throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them
both. [14] And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of
Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD. [15] And they that are far off shall come and
build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
6:10 Take of [them of] the captivity, [even] of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from
Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
Later God told Zechariah to get these 3 men. And they came from Babylon after their captivity. They
were to take gold from their house and make crowns for the high priest
6:11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set [them] upon the head of Joshua the son of
Josedech, the high priest;
You see this here. This is symbolic for all of the gold that was brought from Persia. It was used to
build God’s temple. By putting it on their heads. God is saying I am going to rebuild my temple and
this temple. This was the illustration that was used.
6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name
[is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
The branch is Jesus Christ. He will do the job.
6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon
his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them
both.
Zech 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man
whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple
of the LORD:
“BRANCH” – This name that is used to describe Christ is also connected with His Kingdom and His
work as a high priest. Because before He can establish His literal kingdom of righteous, He must
first make His people righteous.
It includes 1.) Him building His church (His kingdom) AA 595 2.) His work as our intercessor. GC
416
Is 11:1 Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
The rest of the chapter deals with Him setting up His literal kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Jer 23:5 I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall
execute judgment and justice in the earth"
Again it is dealing with His kingdom.
Jer 33:15-16 [15] I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute
judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell
safely.
By looking at these passages in connection with Zech 6:12-15 you will see the full work of Christ as
the Branch. He will build the temple that is dealing with Him establishing His church. Then He takes
up the office of High priest in order to finalize the subjects for His literal kingdom. And then all will
dwell safely in righteousness in a peaceful world. And this kingdom’s establishment is seen in
chapter 14.
“temple of the Lord” – You are looking at the work of Jesus Christ as the Branch. He would come as
the offspring of David in sinful flesh, He would grow as a righteous Branch and He would build the
temple of the Lord.
When you look at this temple. You only have 3 options. 1.) The heavenly temple 2.) The earthly
temple 3.) The spiritual temple. It cannot be the heavenly because Moses was directed to build a
sanctuary after the pattern he saw in the mount. That was the heavenly. That was built prior to the
fall of man. It is not the earthly temple because Zech 4:9 just made it clear that Zerubbabel would
finish the temple that was destroyed by Babylon. And when Christ came He entered that same
structure according to Haggai 2. So that leaves just one option left. The spiritual temple.
This erection of the temple is speaking about Christ building His church. And that is the work He
began. He laid the foundation of the church on Himself according to Matthew 16:18 "upon this rock
I will build my church" The prophecy just said that the Brach will build the temple, now Christ
says I will build my church. So according to the words of Christ. This temple is the CHURCH. He
established it upon Himself and then He chose the 12 apostles who continued to build. And then the
gentiles are spoken of as helping in its erection. The gentiles would be the stones. As more gentiles
were converted, the temple continued to be built.
GC 416 He shall build the temple of the Lord." By His sacrifice and mediation Christ is both the
foundation and the builder of the church of God.
Zech 6:15 And they [that are] far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD.
Notice the prophetic utterance concerning the gentiles:
Isa 60:10 …the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls…
1 Pet 2:4, 5 …ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…
Eph 2:19-22 [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens
with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the
building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also
are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
1 Corin 3:10-13 [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be
revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
AA 595
“his throne” – EGW makes it clear that this is the Father’s throne
GC 416
“bear the glory”
John 12:23-24 The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified...die…much fruit
John 13:31-32 [31] ¶ Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man
glorified, and God is glorified in him. [32] If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him
in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Acts 3:13-15 [13] The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath
glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was
determined to let him go. [14] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; [15] And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we
are witnesses.
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The act of Him dying on the cross and being resurrected will bring glory. He would be honored
before the people, His dignity and the true value of who He was would be shown. This is seen in
chapter 13
GC 416 "He shall bear the glory." To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race.
Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones will be: "Unto Him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in His own blood, . . . to Him be glory and dominion for ever and
ever." Revelation 1:5, 6
“rule…priest upon throne” … “counsel of peace” – This is dealing with His Kingship. Priest is
dealing with intercession. And the counsel of peace will be between the Lord and the Branch or The
Father and Christ. And this counsel of peace has to do with these two offices of Christ. His kingship
and His priesthood.
EGW quotes this verse speaking in reference to the plan of salvation being laid, and Christ being our
intercessor (GC 415-416). In order to bring peace we must receive the blotting out of our sins, but
the final conclusion will be a kingdom of peace. What is this counsel?We just saw it in chapter 3.
Zech chapter 3 is an analogy of the final consummation of the counsel of peace. You have a filthy
sinner receiving a change of garment and then he is able to unite with angels that have never fallen
in sin. That God can do this for so many sinners raised them up from the pit of sin and give them a
place next to sinless angels and God still be just is a mystery.
Zech 9:9-10 King cometh…he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from
sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.
The counsel of peace was regarding establishing peace within the earth. This will be seen through
Christ establishing a Kingdom of Peace forever. As long as the work of intercession is going on
Christ is sitting as a High Priest on His Father’s throne. But when the work of intercession is
complete. Then He will receive the throne of His Father David, and of THAT KINGDOM THERE WILL
BE NO END. And this is what Zech 9:9 is speaking about.
Is 9:6 …Prince of Peace…
Is 9:7 …Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom…
Is 32:17-18 [17] And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness
quietness and assurance for ever. [18] And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation,
and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Is 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Is 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart
from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on
thee.
6:14 And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah,
for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
“Helem” is another name for Heldai. Hen is another name for Josiah. This Zephaniah is a priest not
the prophet. this is his son. These 3 people came from Babylon and they were residing in the house
of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. He was to go into his house meet them take their gold and silver and
make crowns for Joshua. This was symbolic of what God would do if they would obey.
6:15 And they [that are] far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that
the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice
of the LORD your God.
Chapter 7 - Plea for Justice & Mercy
PK 579 Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of God in the earth. These
messages, given in the form of parables and symbols, came at a time of great uncertainty and anxiety,
and were of peculiar significance to the men who were advancing in the name of the God of Israel.
Chapter Outline
VERSE [1] And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came
unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu; [2] When they had sent unto
the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, [3] And to
speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying,
Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? [4] Then
came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, [5] Speak unto all the people of the land, and
to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those
seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? [6] And when ye did eat, and when ye did
drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? [7] Should ye not hear the words
which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in
prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? [8]
And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, [9] Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts,
saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: [10]
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you
imagine evil against his brother in your heart. [11] But they refused to hearken, and pulled away
the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. [12] Yea, they made their hearts as
an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent
in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
7:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [that] the word of the LORD came unto
Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu;
“Fourth year of king Darius” – BC 518. This is 518 B.C. Darius started in 522 B.C. Chisleu is the
ninth month in the Jewish Calendar.
7:2 When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before
the LORD,
“Had sent unto the house of God” – original meaning is “came from the house of God.” “House of
God” is Bethel (Beth – house, El – God). Therefore it means ‘they came from Bethel.” In the Hebrew
it means that they came from the house of God. The house of God in the Hebrew translations shows
that they are from Bethel. This is where Jacob slept when he fled from his house. Beth means house
El means God. They were from Bethel.
7:3 [And] to speak unto the priests which [were] in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets,
saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?
Fifth and seventh months
Zech 8:19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the
fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and
cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
Fifth month – month that Nebuchadnezzar came on BC 586 and besieged and destroyed. Because
of this every first day of the fifth month, they came together and fasted and wept as a religious
ceremony.
Seventh month – month that Ishamael from Ammonites came about and killed Gethalaya, the
governor for the remnant. Because of this, they had mourning ceremony every first day of the
seventh month.
Tenth month – month that Nebuchadnezzar started besieging Jerusalem.

All of these ceremony was commemoration of destruction and death of the leader. But God is saying
that they don’t have to do this anymore, because God is going to restore it. They wanted to know if
they still had to fast.
7:4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
7:5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the
fifth and seventh [month], even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, [even] to me?
Later we see in Chapter 8:19 we see the 10th month mentioned. The fifth month is the month that
Nebuch came and besieged and destroyed. 586 B.C. this happened. Because of this on the first day
of the fifth month the people came together, the remnant of Judea came together to do this as a
religious ceremony.
On the seventh month. Jediah, Ishmael from the Ammonites came together and killed their
governor that was set up by the Babylonians. His name was Gadaliah. He was murdered by Ishmael.
Because of this on the first day of the seventh month they also came together and had a fasting and
weeping ceremony.
On the tenth month. This was the memorial day of when Nebuch came and besieged Jerusalem. On
the next year on the fifth month he finally destroyed it.
On all of these months they came together to weep on the first day of the months because of these
events. Now God is saying you don’t need to do this anymore because I am going to restore it. Then
he said to the Jews this.
7:6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat [for yourselves], and drink [for
yourselves]?
7:7 [Should ye] not [hear] the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem
was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when [men] inhabited the south
and the plain?
From chapter 7:7, we learn that Jerusalem was at this time not restored from its desolate condition;
7:8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions
every man to his brother:
“Shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother” – This is true fasting in Isa 58, so we
see the same thing. You are to do the true fast, which is having a true conversion experience and a
true loving experience with your brothers.
7:10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you
imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should
not hear.
7:12 Yea, they made their hearts [as] an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words
which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath
from the LORD of hosts.
“adament” – This is very hard. A diamond and emerald are the hardest stones in this world. God is
saying your heart is like jewels. It is so hard that I cannot reach you any more. A diamond heart.
7:13 Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would
not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
The reason why God scattered them around the nations was so that the people would be afflicted
and experience true repentance. Then they could return to the Lord. The reason for suffering and
afflictions is so that we will have a genuine conversion experience.
7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land
was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land
desolate.
Chapter 8 – Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion
Chapter 8, is an extended prediction of its complete future restoration.
8:1 Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
This chapter is talking about God being jealous for Zion.
8:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her
with great fury.
8:3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and
Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
Read over
8:4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of
Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
8:6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these
days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
8:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west
country;
8:8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people,
and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
8:9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the
mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was
laid, that the temple might be built.
8:10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace
to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his
neighbour.
8:11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts.
8:12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her
increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all
these things.
8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house
of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.
If we do not really practice genuine Christianity, we become a curse to the nations and our
neighbors. But if we are obedient we become a blessing to nations. We can become a curse or a
blessing. At the time of Jesus the Jews were a curse to the nations. They brought all of these people
in the church and made them twice a child of the devil. All this because they didn’t repent.
8:14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to
wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:
8:15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye
not.
8:16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the
judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all
these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
8:18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,
8:19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of
the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts;
therefore love the truth and peace.
8:20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the
inhabitants of many cities:
8:21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the
LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray
before the LORD.
This happens when you have a true conversion experience. If we have a contrite experience than
the Lord will return to our nation.
8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of
all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with
you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Chapter 9 – Judgment on Israel’s Enemies | Salvation for Israel
9:1 The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof:
when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.
9:2 And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
9:3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire
of the streets.
9:4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured
with fire.
9:5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her
expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
9:6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
9:7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he
that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a
Jebusite.
9:8 And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and
because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen
with mine eyes.
9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto
thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
This is the prophecy of the entrance of Christ. Through Zech God is saying I am going to make the
second temple glorious. I am going to restore this nation by my branch. The Lord Jesus is our
righteousness. He is going to be our salvation and He will ride a donkey with a humble spirit.
If they would have studied they would have realized he would have come in a lowly manner. But
they were prejudice, they had a selfish hope. This is the prophecy of the entrance of Jerusalem by
Christ riding on a donkey. Through this God was saying that He is going to make the second temple
glorious. He is going to restore His people and His nation by the BRANCH. God was telling them
here that Messiah was going to come in humble.
9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall
be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea,
and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
9:11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is
no water.
9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double
unto thee;
9:13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against
thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord
GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
9:15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they
shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of
the altar.
9:16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the
stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men
cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Chapter 10 – Restoration of Israel & Judah

10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give
them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
“In the time of the latter rain” – Early rain makes grow. Latter rain seal up the fruit, and finish the
product. Representing the work of the HS.
The purpose of the rain is to make grass to grow. Rain is symbolized as the Holy Spirit to make us
grow. The early rain makes us grow. The Latter rain seals up the fruit and make them ripe to finish
the product. Our Christian experience and RBF experience is being illustrated through the
agricultural system in Judea.
(*PO grass represents people. When we have the power of the Latter rain we will help the seeds
that have been plated to grow. People who have accepted the Lord will cover the whole earth.
Study)
First of all this prophecy is to the people of Judah in their time. It was speaking of the literal latter
rain. But this prophecy is commingled with events that will transpire all over the world in the last
days.
Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth
for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter
rain "
Note: I can elaborate on the context and make applications.
So he says be patient and wait for the 2nd Coming. He is saying Jesus will come, but before He comes
He must send two things: the early and latter rain. So in Zech 10:1 You are looking at a group of
people who will ask for the latter rain just prior to the 2nd coming. All the events that are mentioned
in this chapter take place under the latter rain, and you will see it.
10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they
comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no
shepherd.
10:3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath
visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Then He is going to punish the Shepherd’s. Why is God punishing the goats and the Shephard’s
together? Shephard’s use goats too. Goats are usually intermingled with the lambs. They do this
incase something happens to the Shepherd s or if the sheep get lost. Then the goats can be the
leader. Goats have the ability to find their way back.
(*PO how does this apply to Christ’s parable of the goats? Is He also describing the destruction of
those in leadership who are not faithful?)
Sheep: no neck, short and thick, hard to run. Weak and faint hearts. This is an illustration of us
without Christ. In the parable of the lost sheep shows that he gets lost. He cries all of the time until
the Shepherd comes and finds him. Many people feel this way. I lost my way, but I must do this
before I can return. You are not able to. Just cry out, Lord I lost my way I can’t find my way.
(*PO Crusade sermon: The Lost Sheep, explaining God’s part and our part.)
Goats are in a way hirelings of the Shepherd’s. They are leaders of the people in Judea along with
the priests and leaders. God is going to punish the goats too.
“I punished the goats” – Sheep doesn’t know how to return back home. That’s us! We do not know
how to return to God unless He reveals it to us. Sheep do not have long legs, they can’t run. They do
not have a long neck, they can not look around easily. Sheep have very weak, scary, and faint heart.
Sheep scare the running water; because the wool will be wet and get heavy and they will drown
into the water and die. They are very fragile animal. They need care. And they need a shepherd.
Without shepherd, they can’t live by themselves. In the lost sheep parable, this sheep knew that he
was lost, but he couldn’t find his way home. He cries until the shepherd comes and finds him. Many
Christians they do not understand this simple truth. People say, “I broke my commitment to God. I
am so wretched now. I will return to Him after I clear this thing up.” You cannot clear that up! All
you have to do is to cry out, “Lord, I am here! I”ve done wrong! I”ve lost way back home! Help me,
Lord!”
Goats have an excellent sense of finding ways. So time-to-time shepherd put the goats with sheep
together that if something happens to the shepherd, then the goat will be leading flock back home.
Goats represent the leaders of the Israel.
10:4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every
oppressor together.
10:5 And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the
battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them
again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for
I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
10:7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea,
their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD.
10:8 I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they
have increased.
10:9 And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall
live with their children, and turn again.
10:10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will
bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
10:11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the
deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt
shall depart away.
10:12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the
LORD.
Chapter 11 – God’s Punishment to the Shepherds
This chapter is talking about God’s punishments to the Shepherd’s. God is going to break two staves.
11:1 Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.
11:2 Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for
the forest of the vintage is come down.
11:3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of
young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
11:4 Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;
11:5 Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be
the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.
11:6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men
every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out
of their hand I will not deliver them.
11:7 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves;
the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock.
“I called Beauty”
Beauty – the word “Noam” is used; which means “charm” or “kindness.”
Bands – the word “chobolim” is used; which means “cord” or “union.”
Since they consistently rebel, God is going to break these two. These are simply the expression of
the agonizing pain of God. Just like father telling his child, “You are not my daughter anymore!”
Beauty in Hebrew means Noam it appeared in Hosea. It means a charm or a kindness. This
symbolizes the charm and covenant that God made with His people. but since they kept refusing
and apostatized. God broke the covenant. Bands means covering. It means a rope cord or union. God
was going to break the union between Judah and Israel. He was going to utterly destroy them.
Par: In Jeremiah God wrote a license of divorce to them. God divorced them because of their
apostasy. Here he breaks beauty and bands. This shows that God divorced them. And we don’t have
a relationship anymore. These are expressions of the heart of God. Illus: When a father says you are
not my children anymore he is saying he is frustrated. He is angry. They are still his children. Yet
God did not call them Babylon. They still had truth and light in them. There was no other option,
this was the nation that He chose. He had to send prophet after prophet and wait. Don’t let this be
your experience. Don’t break the heart of God. And cause to not have a relationship with you.
11:8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred
me.
11:9 Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off;
and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.
11:10 And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had
made with all the people.
11:11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was
the word of the LORD.
11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my
price thirty pieces of silver.
What is this talking about? Zech was preaching to them and admonishing them. They didn’t listen to
him. So he is saying what is my worth to you? what is my wages? Give me my wages. Zechariah
finally tells them to weigh his value. Then people threw him 30 silvers, which is equivalent price for
one slave. That meant that people didn’t appreciate him, they despised him. And they throw 30
pieces of silver. This is the price for one slave. For one whole year this is all that he got. They were
saying we don’t really value you. We despise you.
11:13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And
I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
There is a land called potters land. And this is where he threw it, this was a prophecy concerning
Judas who received 30 pieces of silver and he threw them back at the priests. This was prophesied.
And with this the priest bought a field in Matthew 26. the field of blood and this is where Judas was
buried.
11:14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between
Judah and Israel.
11:15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
11:16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither
shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat
the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
11:17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his
right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Chapter 12 – The LORD will give Salvation
Chapter 12 shows a true mourning and repentance on an individual basis. He is talking about the
day of atonement experience in this chapter. Every family and every member is having this
experience. When this happens.
Reading
 Prophets and Kings 59 & 60
12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens,
and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall
be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves
with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
12:4 In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness:
and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with
blindness.
12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my
strength in the LORD of hosts their God.
12:6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a
torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the
left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
12:7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory
of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.
12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at
that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
Zech 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when
they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem
After God restored the city of Jerusalem. They will be powerful before the other nations. And the
weakest and feeble person in Judea will be like David who killed Goliah. The armies of Jerusalem
will be very strong against other nations. He is showing that God will restore Jerusalem and after
that they will be mighty.
12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against
Jerusalem.
12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace
and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for
him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for
his firstborn.
12:11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the
valley of Megiddon.
12:12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their
wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
Zech 12:10-12 [10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and
they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one
that is in bitterness for his firstborn. [11] In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as
the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. [12] And the land shall mourn, every family
apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan
apart, and their wives apart;
Prophecy about the true repentance experience because of the crucifixion of Christ. If you can
mourn for Christ’s crucifixion as if it was your own children, you will have really true conversion
experience.
“Every family apart” – Zechariah was talking about the individual repentance. How will this come
about? This is a prophecy about true repentance and supplication because of the crucifixion of Jesus
Christ. Because they pierced him. They would weep and give supplication like they would for their
own son’s death.
Application: If I can really cry and moan for the death of Jesus Christ like I would for the death of my
own children, I would have a real and thorough conversion experience and a clean heart.
12:13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their
wives apart;
12:14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
Individual repentance experience. We are not just speaking of corporate repentance. It must be
individual because of what we have done to Christ.
Chapter 13 – Purging of the House of David
13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
“that day” – When we have true individual repentance, you will be washed and cleansed by the
blood of Christ. Here he is talking about the yearly service, not a daily service. There is a different
between forgiveness of sin and blotting out of sin. Forgiveness is covering of the sins, but blotting
out is taking away of sins. He is not only talking about the daily service. He is talking about the
yearly service. There is a difference between forgiveness and blotting out of sins. Blotting out is
when your sins are completely erased. When we confess our sins our record is still in the books of
heaven. Why? In Micah it says he will throw them into the ocean. This mean He will forget about it.
So why are they kept until the day of atonement? God is not unfaithful to His promise, but we are.
But during the investigative judgment. God is asking the question do you still want to be forgiven
for your sins? True forgiveness is overcoming. If we don’t forsake our sins, in actuality we are not
forgiven. If we kept habitually sinning, we are not truly forgiven. You can ask God to forgive the
same sin if you do it 100 x’s, but you are not fully forgiven until you overcome this specific sin. If He
erased it, you will do it over and over again. Your record is there until you completely overcome it.
Why does God keep the records of sins until the day of blotting out of sins? God is faithful to His
covenant, but people are not. So God is asking this question in the investigative judgment, “Do you
still want to be forgiven?” True forgiven state is overcoming. If you don’t overcome and forsake the
sins, in reality, we are not forgiven. If we keep on doing the same sin over and over again, we are
not really forgiven. Of course you may repeat the same sin for hundred times, and you ask God to
forgive you every time, definitely He will forgive you. But you are not “forgiven” until you overcome
and forsake that sin by the grace of God. Whenever you sin again, the record will be there. So the
blotting out of sin experience must include overcoming and forsaking.
Heb 10:16, 17 [16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I
will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and
iniquities will I remember no more.
True new covenant experience – having the mind of Christ in us, is writing the laws into our minds
and thoughts through the HS, so that will become our nature. We will desire to obey God. When that
is fulfilled in our mind, then, God will not remember our sins anymore. That is true cleansing of sins.
The true covenant experience is having the mind of Christ in us. Through the Holy Spirit He writes
the law in our mind and hearts and it becomes our nature. And then we should be willing to obey.
We want to obey and follow God.
Zechariah is speaking of the same thing. If we don’t have this experience individually we won’t have
our sins confessed. There is no true cleansing.
“for sin and for uncleanness” – The Bible says that a day was coming that a fountain would be
open for sin and uncleanness. Showing that a day would come when we could go to the fountain
and wash away our sin and filth. Which shows as a result of coming to this fountain we would no
longer be sinners and we would be clean, meaning our lifestyle practices will be holy.
What is sin? 1 Jn 3:4 …for sin is the transgression of the law…
What are the wages of sin? Rom 6:23 …For the wages of sin [is] death.
So a fountain will be open for those who are transgressing the law of God and deserve eternal
death. Now this shows as a result of coming to and experiencing this fountain, they would no longer
break the law, in other words, they would keep the law of God, and be able to receive eternal life.
Why? Because what type of fountain is this?
Ps 36:9 For with thee [is] the fountain of life:
Why will they be able to receive eternal life? Because it is the fountain of life. Now the question
arises how would this fountain be opened? Because the world needs to know how to stop breaking
the law of God and live a Godly life. How would it be opened?
13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the
idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the
unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
The false prophets will be put out. This is a total cleansing of the land.
13:3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that
begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his
father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision,
when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
All the false prophets will be ashamed to call themselves prophets. Because God is going to cleanse
the land and His people will just have come out of the day of atonement cleansing experience.
13:5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my
youth.
13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those
with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Zech 13:6 [6] And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall
answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. [7] Awake, O sword, against my
shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the
sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Sister White applied these texts to crucifixion of Christ, which seems to be out of context. Because
according to the context, these texts are applied for the false prophets. These words within the
context apply to the false prophets. but EGW says this applies to Jesus’ crucifixion. I
Mark 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is
written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
Matt 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is
written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
“I was wounded in the house of my friends” – Christ was wounded not in the house of “enemy,”
but He called it the house of My “friends.” In Hebrew hands mean arms. What is between both of
your arms? Your back. Jesus was whipped on his back. But she says that this is the prophecy for the
suffering and death of Christ. That’s inspiration, so we accept it. Jesus applied this text to His death
and scattering of His disciples.
When Jesus Christ referred to Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, He called him “Friend.” What a love! Can
you imagine? Jesus referred to Judas as his friend when Judas betrayed him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In Matthew 22 we see a garment is offered for those who come to the wedding. In their custom they
sent the robes with the invitation. They were poor and they didn’t want to appear before a king like
that. But when the person came in his own clothes. EGW says that was RBW. He came to him and
said friend. Par: many people will appear like this before the throne of God. Read the chapter 22 of
Matthew, the parable of the King’s marriage feast. At that time, actually when the king sent
invitation for his son’s wedding feast, king sent his invitation with a beautiful robe. It’s because
those people, especially poor people, will be worried concerning their garment to appear before the
king. But this man considered his robe better than the robe of the king. When the king came out, he
still called him “Friend.” And said, “Why didn’t you wear the robe I sent you? Was there any
problem receiving it? Wasn’t it fit for you?” The Bible says that he had mouth but speechless.
Because he received the robe which was made by kingly pattern, yet, he denied it and rejected it.
When Jesus comes the service in the heavenly sanctuary will be unnecessary. But during the
millennium judgment it will be there, but later it will be gone. During the millennium the wicked
will be judged. Then He will resurrect all the wicked who were ever born on this earth. They will be
outside of the wall, and the righteous will be in the city. We will see everyone. Enoch, all the Popes,
etc. But some will be inside and others out. And before everyone God will judge them. He will show
everyone’s life history in panoramic view. They will see the life of Jesus. Then all will say Jesus is
love. Satan will kneel. Why God is going to still keep the sanctuary open during the millennium?
When Jesus comes, there’s no more necessary for the service of sanctuary. Yet the sanctuary is
disappearing after the millennium according to Revelation 22. It’s simply, as long as judgment is
going on, the sanctuary is necessary. Those who confess to believe Christ is being investigated now,
but during the millennium, the wicked will be judged during the millennium. At the end of the
millennium, all the people, wicked and righteous, from creation to the end of the world will be
gathered together. You will see Adam; you will see Enoch, you will see John the Baptist, you will see
Napoleon, you will see all the popes; wicked outside of the wall, the righteous inside. And in the sky,
all the things that wicked people have done, and Christ’s suffering and death for their life will be
shown. Wicked will be panic and stunned by the presentation, and they will all shout that God is
just and love! Even Satan will bow down and shout that Christ is love and just! Suddenly realizing
what he is doing, he will stand up and shout to charge against the city of Jerusalem. But no one will
listen to him for they know what they have done. No one will say any words. No one is going to
complain. Because by the gospel of Christ, He has provided everything He could to save us. They
have mouth, but will be silent. This was not about Christ in the context, but EGW shows that this
text applies to Christ. Paul did this too. It seems like they are out of context, but this is inspiration.
This is a Messianic prophecy pointing to the death of Jesus Christ. How was this fountain opened?
Through the death of Jesus Christ. The Bible says He was wounded. Showing that He has met the
penalty of the law, He has experienced death on behalf of the sinner and now you can come to Him
and receive life. In other words, provision has been made for everyone. But notice you come to be
clean, not to continue to be unclean.
The death of Jesus Christ is not a license for you to continue to sin, it provides power for you to
CEASE sinning. In other words, you come to receiver pardon and be clean, that is Justification, then
you are no longer unclean, you cease breaking the law and you keep the law, Sanctification. So you
come to experience Justification and Sanctification.
So we are talking about the fountain of life. So in the last days just prior to the second coming & the
special resurrection that we see in Zech 12:9-10, this fountain of life will be made available to
everyone. Now how are they going to hear about it? Through what agency will God use, what are we
talking about how can people experience this fountain of life? What is it? What is the fountain of
life?
Prov 14:27 …the fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death…
Prov 13:15 …the law of the wise…
Same thought. The Bible says in Rev 14:7 "Fear God and give glory to him." Through the agency of 3
Angels messages God is going to open the fountain of life to the world. They will understand that
the 1st angel’s message speaks about the death of Jesus and how His death makes provision for us to
receive eternal life, and to keep the law of God, not break it, at the heart of the this message is
Righteousness by faith. Whose righteousness? Jesus Christ’s righteousness.
The first angel’s message includes both Justification and Sanctification. After explanation read
EGW quote on this verse.
SoS 4:10-12, 15-16 …spouse…fountain sealed.
This is Christ speaking of His church. He describes her as having a honeycomb, honey, and milk
under her tongue, in other words, she speaks sweet things, and by her words things flourish. He
then goes on to say His spouse, the church is a fountain sealed. So when the church is unsealed the
fountain or blessings flow. He describes the church as being full of blessings for the world. But the
garden or the fountain must be opened it must be unsealed. How will that happen?
Song of Sol 5:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, [that] the spices
thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Luke 12:55 And when [ye see] the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose,
loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
Moved to Crete
Acts 28:13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the
south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Moved to Puteoli
The South Wind causes movement. Now you have what? As a result of the garden or fountain being
opened there will be a harvest. The precious fruit of the earth described in James 5:7 will be ripe.
Now the Lord can come and sup, partake of His church. BEAUTIFUL!!!
13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of
hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little
ones.
In Mark 14:27; Matt 26:31 they refer to this scripture and apply it to Jesus being crucified and all of
the disciples being scattered. The end of the chapter speaks of 1/3 being saved. This isn’t really
speaking of a certain number. It is symbolic description about the destruction of Jerusalem. A small
number will be saved. How will they be saved?
13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and
die; but the third shall be left therein.
Zech 13:8-9 [8] And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall
be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. [9] And I will bring the third part through the
fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my
name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Without the trials and sufferings, no one is going to be saved.
13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try
them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they
shall say, The LORD is my God.
Without the investigative judgment and trials and sufferings, no one will be saved. This same
thought is carried through Malachi in chapter 3. That chapter is talking about the investigative
judgment. Malachi and Zechariah are similar even though they lived in different time frames.
Chapter 14 – Coming Day of the Lord
This chapter talks about New Jerusalem and the new earth. In EW Ellen White uses this chapter to
refer to Christ when he comes the third time.
14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses
rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the
people shall not be cut off from the city.
14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of
battle.
14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east,
and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there
shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it
toward the south.
GC 662 Christ descends upon the Mount of Olives, whence, after His resurrection, He ascended, and
where angels repeated the promise of His return. Says the prophet: ‘the Lord my God shall come, and
all the saints with Thee." "And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is
before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof, . . . and there
shall be a very great valley." "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be
one Lord, and His name one." Zechariah 14:5, 4, 9. As the New Jerusalem, in its dazzling splendor,
comes down out of heaven, it rests upon the place purified and made ready to receive it, and Christ,
with His people and the angels, enters the Holy City.
His feet will touch the mount of Olives. Jerusalem will land here. The reason why God pointed out
the location to where Jerusalem will be is because it was situated between the 4 strongest empires.
Assyria, Egypt (West and East) Greece, Rome, and the Persian Empires. For them to trade or
communicate, they had to go through the land of Palestine. EGW says that this will be the center or
capital of the whole universe.
14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto
Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and
the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to
pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the
former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name
one.
14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be
lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the
corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.
14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be
safely inhabited.
14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against
Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall
consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
14:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and
they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of
his neighbour.
14:14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be
gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
14:15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the
beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against
Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the
feast of tabernacles.
Only those who passed through the Day of Atonement celebrated the Feast of Tabernacle. In those
days, every pots will be holy for there is no sins in the world.
14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to
worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague,
wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
14:19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep
the feast of tabernacles.
14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in
the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
Every vessel will be holy. Not only the cups in the sanctuary. But every pot in the households will be
holy. Every thing in Judea will be holy. Every thing will be completely cleansed. There is no more sin
and iniquities.
Only the holy people will keep the feast of tabernacle. When will this be kept? After they come
through the day of atonement they will celebrate this. In chapter 12 and 13 he is talking about the
day of atonement experience. And after this we will have the privilege to sit at the table that Jesus
has for us in heaven, to experience the feast of tabernacle. The table is silver and it is miles long.
14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that
sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the
Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Obadiah – Judgment of Edom
Introduction
Author and Title

The superscription for the book identifies the genre as a “vision,” a prophetic revelation from God
spoken through his prophet “Obadiah.” Unfortunately, the only thing known about this prophet is
his name (a common one in the OT), which means “one who serves Yahweh.” It is unlikely that he is
the same Obadiah as the official over Ahab’s household in 1 Kings 18:3–16 (9th century b.c.), for the
book seems to have been written after the fall of Jerusalem (586; see Date).
Date
Because the superscription gives no chronological information, readers can infer only the
approximate time of the prophet from the book’s contents. Suggested dates range from very early
(c. 850 b.c.) to very late (c. 400). Since the book presents the fall of Jerusalem as a past event (v. 11)
and the fall of Edom as a future event, a probable date would be after 586 b.c. (the destruction of
Jerusalem by Babylon) and before 553 (Babylon’s campaign against Edom). Therefore, the most
likely situation is the first half of the Babylonian exile. The place of writing is Jerusalem.
Theme
On the one hand, Edom, together with all other nations that oppose Israel’s God and his people, will
experience God’s retributive judgment. On the other hand, God’s own covenant people, who have
already experienced God’s judgment, will receive restoration from their God. The book ends with
the promise of the kingdom of God.
Key Themes
1. Enemies will be put to shame because of their enmity against God’s people (v. 10).
2. Every proud human effort at self-security will ultimately fail before God’s coming judgment
(vv. 1–9).
3. God’s retributive justice is strict and fair, with the punishment corresponding to the
misdeeds (v. 15).
4. Reunited Israel will experience God’s deliverance (vv. 16–17), possess the Promised Land,
and defeat and rule over Edom (vv. 17–21).
5. In the future, Yahweh will definitively manifest his kingly rule (v. 21).

Obadiah exhibits numerous parallels with other OT texts, especially Jeremiah’s Edom prophecy (Jer.
49:7–22). Essentially the message of Obadiah spells out what Lamentations 4:22 announces:
restoration for Zion but doom for Edom. The Jerusalemites experienced God’s judgment (Obad.
16a) when enemies invaded and “cast lots for Jerusalem” (v. 11). The Edomites, the descendants of
Jacob’s brother Esau and one of Israel’s neighbors directly to the east, should have assisted their
brothers during the Babylonian crisis. Instead they sided with the foreign invaders and even took
advantage of Israel’s misfortune (vv. 10–14).
Holy Zion had been profaned, and God’s people were put to public shame. Edom felt secure in spite
of its complicity in Israel’s demise. For all intents and purposes it looked as though Edom and the
foreign nations were in charge, ruling over the future of Israel. The book of Lamentations reveals
the extent to which Israel was devastated by the exile—politically, economically, and theologically.
Does Israel have a future? Will Zion be profaned forever? Will the plan for Abraham’s offspring to
bring blessing to the world come to nothing? Will Edom and the hostile nations triumph? Is God
indifferent to all of this?
Into this bleak situation the prophet Obadiah proclaimed the word of Yahweh. The first half of
Obadiah (vv. 1–15) addresses Edom with “you” singular. The prophet announces coming judgment
against Edom and warns Edom to desist from its anti-Judahite hostilities before it is too late, before
‘the day of the Lord” comes against “all the nations” (v. 15). The standard of the judgment will be
strict retributive justice (v. 15).
The second half (vv. 16–21) addresses the people of Jerusalem with “you” plural in verse 16:
“you . . . on my holy mountain.” Here the prophet gives hope to God’s beleaguered people with the
good news of the future great reversal. On the terrible day of the Lord the hostile nations will
receive God’s judgment, but those in Zion will be saved, and Zion will be holy (vv. 16–17a). All Israel
will be reunited and given the Promised Land and victory over Edom (vv. 17b–20). The last line
expresses God’s ultimate goal: to establish his kingly reign over all the earth (v. 21).
The Setting of Obadiah
c. 570 b.c. Though various dates have been given for the prophecy of
Obadiah, it was most likely written sometime after the fall of Jerusalem to
the Babylonians in 586 b.c. but prior to the fall of Edom in 553. Obadiah
condemned the Edomites, who were descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau, for
attacking the Judeans during the Babylonian crisis rather than assisting
them.

Edom is the target of Obadiah’s prophecy of doom because it exemplifies
hostility toward God’s people. The Edomites took delight in bringing disaster to Jerusalem. Even
though Jerusalem fell for its unfaithfulness, and even though Edom was one of God’s tools for
bringing judgment, the Lord has tied himself to his people and will punish those who hurt them.
Eventually, Jerusalem will be restored and its blessings will extend to the Gentiles (vv. 19–21).
Outline
1. First Announcement of Judgment to Edom (vv. 1–4)
2. Second Announcement of Judgment to Edom (vv. 5–7)
3. Announcement of Judgment, Accusation, and Warning to Edom (vv. 8–15)
4. Promise of Restoration and Victory to Israel (vv. 16–18)
5. Promise of Restoration and Yahweh’s Kingship (vv. 19–21)
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
 Judgment of Edom (Pride and Self-Exaltation) (1-9)
 Sins of Edom (Against Jacob) (10-14)
 Day of the Lord (Deliverance/Vindication of Mt. Zion) (15-21)
There is a connection between the characteristics of Edom here and spiritual Babylon in Revelation.
(Esau is called a "fornicator" in Hebrews 12, and spiritual Babylon commits fornication in
Revelation ... in verse 7, those who once were "at peace" with Edom turned against them, and this is
similar to Rev 17:16 ...)
Judgment of Edom (Pride and Self-Exaltation) (1-9)

1:1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the
LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
1:2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose
habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I
bring thee down, saith the LORD.
1:5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they
had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
1:6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!
1:7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with
thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under
thee: there is none understanding in him.
1:8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding
out of the mount of Esau?
1:9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may
be cut off by slaughter.
Sins of Edom (Against Jacob) (10-14)

1:10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
1:11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive
his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of
them.
1:12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger;
neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither
shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
1:13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou
shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their
substance in the day of their calamity;
1:14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither
shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
Day of the Lord (Deliverance/Vindication of Mt. Zion) (15-21)

1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee:
thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
1:16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they
shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall
possess their possessions.
1:18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for
stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the
house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.
1:19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they
shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
1:20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto
Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the
LORD'S.
Ezra
Introduction
Ezra means to “aid” or “help.”
Author and Title

Ezra 1–6 recounts events long before Ezra’s time, and the book does not state who wrote this
section. Ezra is the main figure in chapters 7–10; part of this section clearly comes from his own
hand, since it is written in the first person. This part is often called the Ezra Memoir (7:27–9:15).
The final author of the whole book is unknown. Some scholars think it was written by the same
person who wrote 1–2 Chronicles (also unknown) because its narrative continues directly from the
end of 2 Chronicles and because they have common themes. It is also widely thought that the
author of Ezra (whether the Chronicler or not) wrote the book of Nehemiah as well. In ancient
times, the two books were counted as one, as is known from the earliest Jewish references to them.
As is the case with a number of other books in the OT canon, the author had various sources at his
disposal. Besides the “Ezra Memoir,” parts of Nehemiah are written in the first person, implying a
record left by him. The narrative refers to letters and other documents to which (or to copies of
which) the author must have had access.
Date
The events narrated in Ezra cover almost a century. Jews had been taken into exile in Babylon by
King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 b.c., but in 539 King Cyrus of Persia overthrew the Babylonian king,
Nabonidus. By doing so, he took control of a vast empire, including the territory of the former
kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In 538 b.c., Cyrus issued a decree that the Jewish exiles were free to
return to their ancestral home. Ezra 1–6 covers the return of the first wave of exiles, who came with
their leaders, Zerubbabel and the priest Jeshua (see map, for the route), in 538–535 b.c. (the
preparations plus the journey itself would have taken many months, perhaps more than a year; cf.
7:9). These chapters continue the narrative up to the time when they rebuilt the temple at
Jerusalem (516 b.c.), where Solomon’s temple had stood until it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapters 7–10 cover a time more than half a century later, beginning with Ezra’s arrival in
Jerusalem in 458 b.c. The book provides little information about the intervening period.
Theme
The theme of Ezra is faithfulness to the Lord, both in worship (hence the importance of building the
new temple) and in keeping the Torah, the Mosaic law (7:6).
Key Themes
1. The Lord is faithful to his promises, and his mercy exceeds his anger (9:13).
2. The Lord works providentially by all means, especially through powerful rulers, to bring
about his greater purposes (e.g., 6:22).
3. The exiles—being the remnant of Israel, or the “holy race” (9:2, 8)—are bound by covenant
to guard their identity and character as the people of the Lord by obeying his law.
4. Belonging to the people of the Lord, however, is not essentially by membership in a “race”
but by willing acceptance of his covenant, and thus it is open to people of any nation (6:21).
5. Allegiance to the Lord is demonstrated by due attention to worship. In Ezra, this is shown
especially in the building of the temple and in the proper ordering of its work, as evidenced
in the institution of priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, and other temple servants in
their duties (2:36–58; 3:10–11).
6. The keynote of worship is joy (6:22).

The Jewish community was struggling to maintain its identity as the people of the Lord, as it faced
internal and external pressures. The community was located in Jerusalem and in towns and villages
in the territory of the former kingdom of Judah. Its position was somewhat insecure for at least two
reasons. First, the community was composed of those who had been away in exile for a long
period—70 years according to Jeremiah (Jer. 25:11). (This may be reckoned, as a round number,
either from the first wave of exiles in 605 b.c. to the return in 538–535, or from the destruction of
the temple in 586 to the building of the new one in 516; see notes on Jer. 25:11; Dan. 9:2; Zech.
1:12.) They returned as strangers to a land that had a population consisting of Jews who had not
been taken into exile, along with persons of other ethnic origins who had begun to settle there. In
addition, leaders in Samaria (the old northern capital) who now held power in the Persian province
Beyond the River (see note on Ezra 4:1–2) resented the resurgence of Jerusalem as a separate
administrative and political center. The returnees therefore had to press their claim to ancient
entitlements in the land against local opposition. They were able to do so by virtue of providential
help from a succession of Persian kings, though this support was variable. The persistence of
opposition from enemies is clear in Ezra 4 and Nehemiah 4; 6.
Second, the Jewish community was insecure because of the severe moral and religious challenge
presented by the need to remain a distinctive people faithful to the Lord. The time that elapses in
the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah allows this challenge to appear. When Ezra arrives in
Jerusalem, he finds the people intermarrying with non-Jews (Ezra 9–10), which poses a threat to
the community because it implies a loosening of the covenantal bond between the Lord and his
people. This explains the strong emphasis in both books on keeping strictly separate from the so-
called peoples of the land, who, because they do not hold to the religion of the Lord, are morally
identified with the old inhabitants of the land whom Israel was long ago commanded to drive out
(9:1; see also Deut. 7:1–5). Ezra is often blamed for exclusivism in his attitude towards the mixed
marriages. But the issue is essentially religious, and also a matter of survival. It has to be balanced
by the openness of the community to non-Jews, who were welcome to adopt the religion of the Lord
(Ezra 6:21). In this respect Ezra is no different from the book of Ruth. Marriages to such converts,
and to their children, were not part of Ezra’s concern in Ezra 9–10, but only marriages that were
leading to apostasy (as is clear in Neh. 13:23–24). The problem was acute, however. Under Ezra’s
leadership the people agree to face up to this danger, but the same issue reemerges late in
Nehemiah’s time (Neh. 13:23–29), about 15 years after Ezra’s arrival, when Ezra is apparently no
longer on the scene. Finally, another challenge to faithfulness came from economic pressures, which
emerge clearly when Nehemiah requires sustained manpower to complete the city wall (Nehemiah
5).
Several issues occasioned the writing of both books. Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuilt the temple,
since this is the first and indispensable mark that the Lord is once again the center of worship in
Jerusalem, the ancient Davidic capital. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah also helped to bring this
project to fruition (Ezra 5:1). Ezra, “a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses” (7:6), called the
community back to covenant loyalty and thus to obedience to the Mosaic law contained in the
Pentateuch. Nehemiah rebuilt the city walls so that the community could enjoy security against
possible outright attack by enemies who might take advantage of any weakening in the imperial
protection of Judah.
These separate missions were closely associated. Ezra, though responsible for the law, is also
charged by the Persian authorities with gifts for the temple, so that he continues the provision for
the temple originally made by King Cyrus through Zerubbabel. The books also make it clear that the
work of Ezra and Nehemiah overlapped, since Nehemiah 8 indicates that Ezra leads the great
covenant-renewal ceremony that followed the completion of the city walls. Again, at the dedication
of the wall, each plays a part in the ceremony (Neh. 12:33, 38). And most importantly, this
ceremony concludes in the temple, so that the projects of the temple and the securing of the city are
finally seen to be one.
The author of Ezra and Nehemiah balances these various concerns. There is a note of thankfulness
to God for his faithfulness in restoring the community despite enormous odds. Indeed, this
repopulation of the ancient Promised Land after exile was nothing less than a fulfillment of
prophecy (see Isa. 40:1–11; Jer. 25:11). But there is also regret that the community is prone to
failure in its vocation as a faithful people. The author records a number of great gatherings of the
people for the purpose of celebration (Ezra 3:1–13; 6:19; Nehemiah 8), or of communal repentance
(Ezra 10; Nehemiah 9). The pervasive concern is the need for the community to remain absolutely
faithful to the Lord, because of the conviction that its very life depends on it. The knowledge that
the Lord has already judged his people with a great exile is very present in the author’s mind.
A telling insight into the purpose of the two books is given by the prayers of Ezra in Ezra 9:8–9 and
in Nehemiah 9:32–37 (the latter may or may not be Ezra’s). The second prayer, besides expressing
thanksgiving and confession, acknowledges that the members of the community are still suffering
because of their sins, and are slaves even in their own land. While the author of Ezra–Nehemiah
sees God’s providential hand in the benign attitude of the Persian kings, he also knows that the
community’s situation is as yet far short of full deliverance. This combination of confession and
petition is at the heart of his message. The book aims not only to encourage the community to
persevere in hope but also to bring them again to repentance, so that the ancient promises of
freedom in service to the Lord alone might be more fully realized among them.
Relationship of Ezra–Nehemiah to 1–2 Chronicles
1–2 Chronicles Ezra–Nehemiah
Chronicles ends with the Cyrus Edict. Ezra begins with the Cyrus Edict.
Chronicles emphasizes Jerusalem and the temple. Ezra–Nehemiah emphasizes
Jerusalem and the temple.
Chronicles has a priestly focus. Ezra is more focused on the law itself.
Chronicles is more focused on Davidic leadership,
suggesting composition around the time of Zerubbabel;
cf. Zechariah 4 (520–515 b.c.).
Chronicles omits Solomon’s downfall due to Nehemiah appeals to Solomon as a
intermarriage. negative example (Neh. 13:26).
Ezra–Nehemiah contains unique first-
person memoirs.
Chronology of Ezra–Nehemiah
Ezra 1–6 537–515 b.c.
Ezra 7–Nehemiah 13 458–433 b.c.
These dates do not reveal when the book was actually written. As already noted, it belongs closely
with Nehemiah. Thus, it must be dated after the latest events in that book, or between 433 and 424
b.c. at the earliest (see note on Neh. 13:6).
Chronology of Ezra
Event Year Reference
Cyrus king of Persia captures Babylon 539 b.c. Dan. 5:30–31
First year of King Cyrus; issues proclamation freeing Jewish 538– Ezra 1:1–4
exiles to return 537
Jewish exiles, led by Sheshbazzar, return from Babylon to 537? Ezra 1:11
Jerusalem
Altar rebuilt 537 Ezra 3:1–2
Temple rebuilding begins 536 Ezra 3:8
Adversaries oppose the rebuilding 536– Ezra 4:1–5
530
Temple rebuilding ceases 530– Ezra 4:24
520
Temple rebuilding resumes (2nd year of Darius) 520 Ezra 5:2; cf. Hag.
1:14
Temple construction completed (6th year of Darius) 516 Ezra 6:15
Ezra departs from Babylon to Jerusalem (arrives in 7th year of 458 Ezra 7:6–9
Artaxerxes)
Men of Judah and Benjamin assemble at Jerusalem 458 Ezra 10:9
Officials conduct three-month investigation 458– Ezra 10:16–17
457
The Persian Empire at the Time of Ezra

c. 458 b.c. During the time of Ezra the Persian Empire
had reached its greatest extent, engulfing nearly the
entire Near East. In 539 b.c. the Persians under Cyrus
the Great defeated the Babylonians and absorbed their
territory into the empire, including the lands of Israel
and Judah (known as Beyond the River). The next year
Cyrus allowed the people of Judah to return home
under the leadership of Zerubbabel and rebuild the
temple of the Lord. Later, around 458 b.c., another
group of Judean exiles returned under Ezra’s leadership.

The exile was not the end of the story for God’s ancient people, nor of their calling to bring light to
the world. Ezra stresses God’s providence and mercy in moving imperial rulers to favor his people,
and in raising up new shepherds to serve them (Jer. 23:3–4), especially Ezra and other priests and
Levites. Nevertheless, not all the promises of the prophets have come to pass (Ezra 9:8–9); God will
do still more through them. The people really have a new chance to live as God’s distinctive people.
Literary Features
The author’s primary impulse is to record the historical facts surrounding the two returns to
Palestine—sometimes in the form of lists and inventories, sometimes in the form of narrative or
story. But this documentary aim is combined with a religious impulse to choose events from the era
that teach religious lessons about God’s covenant faithfulness and the need for his people to
maintain high standards of holiness in their communal and personal lives.
The primary form of Ezra is historical narrative, specifically a story that narrates the return of
groups of people to their homeland after exile. But the flow of the story is interrupted by a variety
of documentary material—lists of people and supplies, transcripts of official documents, the
genealogy of Ezra, royal and other official letters, memoirs, and prayer. Sometimes the material tells
a story; at other times it resembles a daily newspaper or modern archived material. Ezra is the
central character in this story of starting over. He is a decisive character whose arrival with the
second wave of returnees causes sparks to fly. Characters of secondary importance include three
Persian kings (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes), Zerubbabel (who leads the first return and the
rebuilding of the temple), the workers who rebuild the temple, and the Israelites who marry foreign
women with pagan worship practices.
Outline
1. Cyrus’s Decree and the Return of Exiles from Babylon (1:1–2:70)
a. The decree (1:1–4)
b. The exiles respond to the decree (1:5–11)
c. The exiles live again in their ancestral homes (2:1–70)
2. The Returned Exiles Rebuild the Temple on Its Original Site (3:1–6:22)
a. The foundations of the temple are laid (3:1–13)
b. Enemies stall the project by conspiring against it (4:1–24)
c. The work is resumed, and local officials seek confirmation of Cyrus’s decree (5:1–
17)
d. King Darius discovers and reaffirms Cyrus’s decree, and the work is completed (6:1–
22)
3. Ezra the Priest Comes to Jerusalem to Establish the Law of Moses (7:1–8:36)
a. King Artaxerxes gives Ezra authority to establish the Mosaic law (7:1–28)
b. Ezra journeys to Jerusalem with a new wave of returnees, bearing royal gifts for the
temple (8:1–36)
4. Ezra Discovers and Confronts the Problem of Intermarriage (9:1–10:44)
a. Ezra discovers the problem of marriage to idolaters, and prays (9:1–15)
b. The people agree to dissolve the marriages (10:1–17)
c. List of those who were implicated (10:18–44)
Chapter 1 – Proclamation of Cyrus
Chapter Outline
 Decree of Cyrus given in 536 B.C to go and build Jerusalem (1-4)
 Chief of the fathers go and build (5-11)
1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah
might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation
throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth;
and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
1:3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which
is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
1:4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with
silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God
that is in Jerusalem.
1:5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all
them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
1:6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with
goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had
brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
Cyrus returns the vessels.
1:8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and
numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
1:9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and
twenty knives,
1:10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a
thousand.
1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar
bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Chapter 2 – Return of the Exiles
Chapter Outline
 Names of the children that returned from the captivity (1-61)
2:1 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been
carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came
again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
2:2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar,
Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
2:4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
2:5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
2:6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and
twelve.
2:7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
2:8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
2:9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
2:10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
2:11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
2:12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
2:13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
2:14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
2:15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
2:16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
2:17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
2:18 The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
2:19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
2:20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
2:21 The children of Bethlehem, an hundred twenty and three.
2:22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
2:23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
After God wiped out the men who conspired against Jeremiah only 128 returned. This is after being
in exile for 70 years. They were only able to raise up 128 See Jeremiah 11:21-23.
“Anathoth” means “answers to prayer.” So Jeremiah was born in a place that received answers to
prayer. A city of Benjamin allotted to the priest; located approximately 3 miles (5 km) from
Jerusalem; birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah.
2:24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
2:25 The children of Kirjatharim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
2:26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
2:27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
2:29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
2:30 The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
2:31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
2:32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
2:33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
2:34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
2:35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
2:36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
2:37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
2:38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
2:39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
2:40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
2:41 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the
children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
2:43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
2:44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
2:45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
2:46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
2:47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
2:48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
2:49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
2:50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
2:51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
2:52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
2:53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
2:54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
2:55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of
Peruda,
2:56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
2:57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children
of Ami.
2:58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
2:59 And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they
could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
This verse shows that because of the captivity some people were not able to prove that they were
part of Israel. They lost the record of their descendents. Seed in the margin means pedigree.
So when you study Melchisedec in Heb 7. This is what it meant when it said he was without father
or mother. Not that he didn’t have a father or mother, but because he was not a Jew, he had no
record of his descendents. This also shows that the children of Israel returned to Jerusalem.
Originally they were in Northern Israel. Now they came back to be one nation. God never promised
them that they would be established like they were previous to the Assyrian invasion.
2:60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
2:61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of
Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
2:62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found:
therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood
up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
2:64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
2:65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty
and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
2:67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
2:68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem,
offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
2:69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of
gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
2:70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the
Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Chapter 3 - Rebuilding the Templte & Altar
3:1 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people
gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of
Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as
it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
3:3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those
countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and
evening.
3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by
number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
3:5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of
the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the
LORD.
3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the
foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
3:7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto
them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to
the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
3:8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month,
began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren
the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and
appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the
LORD.
3:9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together,
to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren
the Levites.
3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their
apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the
ordinance of David king of Israel.
3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good,
for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they
praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen
the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and
many shouted aloud for joy:
3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the
people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Chapter 4 – Hindrances to Restoration of the Temple
4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the
temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
4:2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with
you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of
Assur, which brought us up hither.
4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have
nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD
God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in
building,
4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia,
even until
the reign of Darius king of Persia.
PK 571 Untiring in their opposition, the Samaritans "weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and
troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days
of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius." Ezra 4:4, 5.
For over 16 years there were counselors in the court of Babylon trying to frustrate the work of God.
This went on until Darius.
Ezra 4:4,5 gives you the background for Daniel 10:13. These counselors were working on the mind
of Cyrus, and the Bible said prince of the kingdom of Persia, Satan withstood him through these
men.
PK 572 All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally
gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son
Cambyses, who reigned about seven and a half years.
During his reign progress slowed. His reign began 529 B.C.14
PK 572 This was a time of wonderful opportunity for the Jews. The highest agencies of heaven were
working on the hearts of kings, and it was for the people of God to labor with the utmost activity to
carry out the decree of Cyrus. They should have spared no effort to restore the temple and its
services, and to re-establish themselves in their Judean homes. But in the day of God’s power many
proved unwilling. The opposition of their enemies was strong and determined, and gradually the
builders lost heart. Some could not forget the scene at the laying of the cornerstone, when many had
given expression to their lack of confidence in the enterprise. And as the Samaritans grew more bold,
many of the Jews questioned whether, after all, the time had come to rebuild. The feeling soon
became widespread. Many of the workmen, discouraged and disheartened, returned to their homes
to take up the ordinary pursuits of life."
Background for Haggai
During the reign of Cambyses the work on the temple progressed slowly. And during the reign of
14
See AT Jones Great Empires of Prophecy pg. 61
the false Smerdis (called Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7) the Samaritans induced the unscrupulous
impostor to issue a decree forbidding the Jews to rebuild their temple and city. For over a
year the temple was neglected and well-nigh forsaken. The people dwelt in their homes and strove
to attain temporal prosperity, but their situation was deplorable. Work as they might they did not
prosper. The very elements of nature seemed to conspire against them. Because they had let the
temple lie waste, the Lord sent upon their substance a wasting drought. God had bestowed upon
them the fruits of field and garden, the corn and the wine and the oil, as a token of His favor; but
because they had used these bountiful gifts so selfishly, the blessings were removed.
Such were the conditions existing during the early part of the reign of Darius Hystaspes. Darius
began to reign in 521 B.C.
Cyrus reigned 7 years 536 to 529

Cambyses reigned 7.5 years 529 to 521
False Smerdis ½ year 521
Darius 31 years 521 to 485 B.C.
Xerxes 21 years 485 to 464 B.C.
Artaxerxes reigned 41 years 464 to 423 B.C.
4:6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation
against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions,
unto
Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted
in the Syrian tongue.
4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the
king in this sort:
4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the
Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the
Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of
Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants
the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
4:12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem,
building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they
not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
4:14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the
king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of
the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that
they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means
thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the
rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a
time.
4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made
insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the
river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until
another commandment shall be given from me.
4:22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and
their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force
and power.
4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of
the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Chapter 5 – Letter to King Darius
Letter from Tatnai a Persian governor sent to Darius regarding the work that was commenced by
the Jews.
5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that
were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Haggai (festive) and Zechariah (to remember) are contemporaries. They were prophesying at the
same time in Judah and Jerusalem.
5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the
house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Meaning of names:
Zerubbabel – flow away from Babylon, descended from Babylon, wax warm,
Shealtiel – I have asked God
Jeshua – he will save
Jozadak – Jehovah righted
5:3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their
companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up
this wall?
5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till
the matter
came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his
companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
5:7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God,
which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and
prospereth in their hands.
5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and
to make up these walls?
5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the
chief of them.
5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and
build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
5:12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand
of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people
away into Babylon.
5:13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this
house of God.
5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the
temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king
take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar,
whom he had made governor;
“Sheshbazzar” is Zerubbabel’s Persian name
5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let
the house of God be builded in his place.
5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in
Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house,
which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house
of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Chapter 6 - The Decree of Darius | Restoration of Temple
6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the
treasures were laid up in Babylon.
6:2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and
therein was a record thus written:
“Achmetha” is the summer capital of Persia
6:3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God
at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations
thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
6:4 With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the
king's house:
6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of
the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the
temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the
Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
6:7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build
this house of God in his place.
6:8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of
God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these
men, that they be not hindered.
6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings
of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at
Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the
king, and of his sons.
6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his
house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
6:12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to
their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree;
let it be done with speed.
6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to
that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the
prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment
of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of
Persia.
6:15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the
reign of Darius the king.
6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity,
kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
6:17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four
hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the
tribes of Israel.
6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God,
which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
6:19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
6:20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the
passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated
themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did
eat,
6:22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and
turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of
God, the God of Israel.
Chapter 7 - The Decree of Artaxerxes | Ezra Teaches the People
Commandment to Restore and Build Jerusalem – To Cyrus belongs the high honor of having
been designated by name by the God of Heaven, many years before his birth, as one that should act
an important part in the restoration of Jerusalem. The commandment of the God of Heaven came to
him, and from him issued authority that embraced an essential part of the work. Such of the Jews as
pleased were authorized to return to Jerusalem, and were empowered to rebuild the temple. This
laid the foundation of the entire work, and naturally drew after it all that followed. But this did not
cover all the ground. It was an important part of that commandment by which Jerusalem was
restored, but it was not all. Sixteen years after this edict of Cyrus, Darius renewed its grant of
power. Ezra 6. Let Darius have due credit. He did not put forth the first part of the commandment
for the restoration of Jerusalem, and he did not finish out that great edict by giving ample authority
for the complete accomplishment of the work. But to the edict of Cyrus he added his own authority
when it was greatly needed, and at the same time enlarged the power already given to the Jews. It
would be unjust to allow Darius the credit of granting all the power under which the people of God
restored their ancient city; it would be equally wrong to deny due credit for that renewal and
enlargement of power already given, which was the work of this king. Yet each of these errors has
had its adherents.
Next in order in this work came Artaxerxes, who completed the grant of power which Cyrus began,
and Darius renewed and enlarged. A portion of the commandment for the restoration of Jerusalem
was issued by the first of these kings; the second added to this; and the third completed this
important commandment by endowing Ezra with all needed authority for the complete restoration
of Jerusalem. Ezra 7. After this, nothing in the form of a decree was ever issued from the Persian
court relating to this matter.
To Cyrus belongs the honor of taking the first steps toward the restoration of Jerusalem, by
allowing the Jews to return, and by giving them authority to rebuild the temple; but the
credit of the whole commandment does not belong to him. Darius enlarged the authority
given by Cyrus, but he left it incomplete. Artaxerxes finished the commandment for the
restoration of Jerusalem by clothing Ezra with full power to do whatsoever should be proper
in his sight, and to enforce the law of God with adequate penalties. The credit of the whole
work belongs to no one of these monarchs; but to the first, the honor of making the first
grant of power to the Jews, and of establishing the precedent in their behalf; to the second, of
interposing his authority in maintaining what Cyrus had enacted when that act was called in
question; to the last, the honor of rendering that commandment complete, and of sending
forth with it a competent man to have it carried into effect.
It WENT FORTH IN ITS COMPLETE FORM when Ezra, under its ample power, began to enforce the
law of God with all its strictness in Jerusalem.This argument, therefore, will vindicate the seventh of
Artaxerxes, B.C. 457, as the date of the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build
Jerusalem; but it differs from the view hitherto held by us in that we gave the credit of the entire
commandment to Artaxerxes; whereas it is evident that Cyrus and Darius each framed a portion of
the great edict, and that Artaxerxes completed this memorable grant of power. In accordance with
these facts we find that the commandment is spoken of, first, as the commandment of the God of
Heaven; second, as THE COMMANDMENT [singular] of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the three
kings of Persia through whose successive acts the entire legal authority necessary for the complete
restoration of Jerusalem was granted. Ezra 6:14.
Marking System in Bible: Write down linking subjects, themes, and subjects together. (Optional)
Memorize: A few things, he will tell what to memorize.
LOT has everything that is in the NT. We should find what it means to me today. Even without the
book of Revelation we can see the future as it is in the book of Revelation.
EGW had close to 3,000 books in her library. That is why when she wrote the GC she quoted so
many authors. Even though she wasn’t educated in school beyond 3rd Grade, she was intelligent. She
wrote profound thoughts. God didn’t give her word to word what to say (verbal inspiration).
7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of
Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
7:2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
7:3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
7:4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
7:5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God
of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God
upon him.
7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers,
and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the
fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel
statutes and judgments.
7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even
a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect
peace, and at such a time.
7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm,
which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah
and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
7:15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God
of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
7:16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill
offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in
Jerusalem:
7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and
their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
7:18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and
the gold, that do after the will of your God.
7:19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before
the God of Jerusalem.
7:20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to
bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
7:21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river,
that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done
speedily,
7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths
of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of
heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or
ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which
may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye
them that know them not.
7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed
speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to
imprisonment.
7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to
beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
7:28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's
mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered
together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Chapter 8 – Geneaology of those who returned with Ezra
8:1 These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from
Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
8:2 Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.
8:3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by
genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
8:4 Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.
8:5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.
8:6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
8:7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males.
8:8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males.
8:9 Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
8:10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males.
8:11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males.
8:12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males.
8:13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with
them threescore males.
8:14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.
8:15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three
days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan,
and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men
of understanding.
8:17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what
they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should
bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
8:18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of
Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
8:19 And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
8:20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two
hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.
8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God,
to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
8:22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the
enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for
good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
8:23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
8:24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren
with them,
8:25 And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of
our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
8:26 I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred
talents, and of gold an hundred talents;
8:27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the
gold are a
freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.
8:29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and
chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.
8:30 So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring
them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
8:31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto
Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of
such as lay in wait by the way.
8:32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
8:33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God
by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and
with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
8:34 By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.
8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered
burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and
seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
8:36 And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this
side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Chapter 9 – Prayer about Intermarriage
9:1 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the
priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to
their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the
Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
9:2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have
mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been
chief in this trespass.
9:3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head
and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of
the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.
9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my
mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
9:6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are
increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities
have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword,
to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to
escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little
reviving in our bondage.
9:9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy
unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to
repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
9:10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
9:11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to
possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations,
which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
9:12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons,
nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and
leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
9:13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou
our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these
abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be
no remnant nor escaping?
9:15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are
before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Chapter 10 – People confess their Sins
10:1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before
the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women
and children: for the people wept very sore.
10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have
trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is
hope in Israel concerning this thing.
10:3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born
of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God;
and let it be done according to the law.
10:4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
10:5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do
according to this word. And they sware.
10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of
Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the
transgression of them that had been carried away.
10:7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity,
that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and
the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those
that had been carried away.
10:9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three
days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the
house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange
wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
10:11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and
separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
10:12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
10:13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without,
neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
10:14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives
in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until
the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter:
and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
10:16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after
the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day
of the tenth month to examine the matter.
10:17 And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first
month.
10:18 And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the
sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
10:19 And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a
ram of the flock for their trespass.
10:20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
10:21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
10:22 And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
10:23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and
Eliezer.
10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
10:25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and
Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
10:26 And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
10:27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
10:28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
10:29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
10:30 And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and
Binnui, and Manasseh.
10:31 And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
10:32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
10:33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
10:34 Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
10:37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
10:38 And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
10:39 And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
10:40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
10:41 Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
10:43 Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
10:44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
Nehemiah
Introduction
Author and Title

Nehemiah is the central figure in the book, and it contains some of his own records, but he is not the
author of the whole book. The author is probably the same as the author of Ezra (see Introduction
to Ezra).
Date
For the key background dates to the book of Nehemiah, see Introduction to Ezra. Nehemiah arrived
in Jerusalem in 445 b.c., 13 years after Ezra arrived. He returned for a further visit sometime
between 433 and 423 b.c. He may have made several journeys between Persian capitals and
Jerusalem in this period of 20 years.
Theme
The theme of Nehemiah is the Lord’s protection of his people and the need for their faithfulness in
keeping the Torah (the Mosaic law) and their faithfulness in worship.
Key Themes
1. The Lord hears prayer (1:4–6).
2. The Lord works providentially, especially through powerful rulers, to bring about his
greater purposes (e.g., 2:8).
3. The Lord protects his people; therefore, they do not need to be afraid (4:14).
4. The Lord is merciful and faithful to his promises despite his people’s persistence in sin
(9:32–35).
5. Worship is at the center of the life of God’s people, and it includes the willing, joyful giving
of their resources (10:32–39).
6. God’s people need to be on their guard against their own moral weakness (ch. 13).

The purpose and background of Nehemiah are the same as that for Ezra (see Introduction to Ezra).
The Persian Empire at the Time of Nehemiah
c. 450 b.c. During the time of Nehemiah, the Persian Empire
had reached its greatest extent, engulfing nearly the entire
Near East. In 539 b.c. the Persians under Cyrus the Great
defeated the Babylonians and absorbed the lands of Israel
and Judah (known as Beyond the River) into his empire. The
next year he allowed the people of Judah (now called Jews) to
return home and rebuild the temple of the Lord. Several
waves of returning Jews continued to resettle in Judea, and
Nehemiah was granted permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s ruined walls around 445 b.c.
Chronology of Nehemiah
Event Month/Day Year Reference
Hanani brings Nehemiah a report from Jerusalem 445–444 1:1
(20th year of Artaxerxes I) b.c.
Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes 1 445 2:1
Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem walls 445 2:11
Wall is finished 6/25 445 6:15
People of Israel gather 7 445 7:73–8:1
People of Israel celebrate Feast of Booths 7/15–22 445 8:14
People of Israel fast and confess sins 7/24 445 9:1
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem (32nd year of 433–432 5:14; 13:6
Artaxerxes I)

After the exile, God is renewing his people in the land, in order to carry out what he promised to
Abraham. God’s people must renew their commitment to covenant faithfulness, laying hold of God’s
forgiveness and seeking to practice purity in their corporate and private lives. God in his mercy
raised up Ezra the priest and teacher, and Nehemiah the governor, to lead his people in the hard
work that this renewal requires. The public ceremonies of chapters 8–10 enact this renewal,
confessing past unfaithfulness and recognizing that everything—including the fulfilling of Israel’s
mission to bring light to the world—depends on God’s grace and steadfast commitment to his
promises (9:32–38).
Outline
1. Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem to Rebuild Its Walls (1:1–2:20)
a. Nehemiah learns of Jerusalem’s dilapidation (1:1–11)
b. Nehemiah gains permission to return and inspects Jerusalem’s walls (2:1–16)
c. First signs of opposition (2:17–20)
2. The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties (3:1–7:4)
a. The people work systematically on the walls (3:1–32)
b. Opposition intensifies, but the people continue watchfully (4:1–23)
c. Nehemiah deals with injustices in the community; Nehemiah’s personal
contribution to the project (5:1–19)
d. A conspiracy against Nehemiah, but the wall is finished (6:1–7:4)
3. A Record of Those Who Returned from Exile (7:5–73)
4. The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal (8:1–10:39)
a. The law is read (8:1–8)
b. The people are to be joyful (8:9–12)
c. The people keep the Feast of Booths (8:13–18)
d. A prayer of confession, penitence, and covenant commitment (9:1–38)
e. Signatories and specific commitments (10:1–39)
5. The Population of Jerusalem and the Villages; Priests and Levites (11:1–12:43)
a. Those who lived in Jerusalem and the villages of Judah (11:1–36)
b. High priests and leading Levites since the time of Zerubbabel (12:1–26)
c. Dedication of the walls (12:27–43)
6. Nehemiah Deals with Problems in the Community (12:44–13:31)
a. The administration of offerings for the temple (12:44–47)
b. Ejection of Tobiah the Ammonite from the temple (13:1–9)
c. Dealing with neglect of the offerings (13:10–14)
d. Dealing with Sabbath breaking (13:15–22)
e. The problem of intermarriage again (13:23–29)
f. Summary of Nehemiah’s temple reforms (13:30–31)
Chapter 1 – Report from Jerusalem | Nehemiah’s Prayer
1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the
twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning
the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
1:3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great
affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned
with fire.
1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days,
and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
1:5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant
and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant,
which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins
of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
1:7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes,
nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
1:8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye
transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out
unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the
place that I have chosen to set my name there.
1:10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by
thy strong hand.
1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer
of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant
him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Chapter 2 – Nehemiah goes to Judah, inspects wall of Jerusalem
2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was
before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his
presence.
2:2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is
nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
2:3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the
city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
2:4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
2:5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that
thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
2:6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and
when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
2:7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the
river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
2:8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams
for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house
that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had
sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them
exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
2:11 So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
2:12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put
in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
2:13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port,
and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with
fire.
2:14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the
beast that was under me to pass.
2:15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the
gate of the valley, and so returned.
2:16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to
the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates
thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a
reproach.
2:18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he
had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this
good work.
2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian,
heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel
against the king?
2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his
servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Chapter 3 – Rebuilding the Wall
3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate;
they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower
of Hananeel.
3:2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3:3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the
doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them
repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok
the son of Baana.
3:5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their
Lord.
3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah;
they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon,
and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
3:8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired
Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
3:10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next
unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the
tower of the furnaces.
3:12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he
and his daughters.
3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors
thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
3:14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built
it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he
built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall
of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place
over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
3:17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler
of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
3:18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the
going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall
unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the
house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
3:22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
3:23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the
son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the
turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
3:25 Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the
king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east,
and the tower that lieth out.
3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even
unto the wall of Ophel.
3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also
Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another
piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
3:31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the
merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
3:32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the
merchants.
Chapter 4 – Oppisition & Resitance to Restoration of the Wall
4:1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took
great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will
they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out
of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall
even break down their stone wall.
4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them
for a prey in the land of captivity:
4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have
provoked thee to anger before the builders.
4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a
mind to work.
4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the
Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped,
then they were very wroth,
4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because
of them.
4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so
that we are not able to build the wall.
4:11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them,
and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
4:12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times,
From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
4:13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people
after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people,
Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren,
your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
4:15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their
counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
4:16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the
other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers
were behind all the house of Judah.
4:17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with
one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded
the trumpet was by me.
4:19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and
large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
4:20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall
fight for us.
4:21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the
stars appeared.
4:22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within
Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
4:23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of
us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Chapter 5 – Oppression of the Poor ceases
5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
5:2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for
them, that we may eat, and live.
5:3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might
buy corn, because of the dearth.
5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands
and vineyards.
5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into
bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto
bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact
usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold
unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their
peace, and found nothing to answer.
5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the
reproach of the heathen our enemies?
5:10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let
us leave off this usury.
5:11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their
houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
5:12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest.
Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that
performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said,
Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the
twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my
brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken
of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people:
but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
5:16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were
gathered thither unto the work.
5:17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that
came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
5:18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were
prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of
the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
5:19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Chapter 6 – Conspiracy against Nehemiah
6:1 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our
enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that
time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
6:2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the
villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
6:3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why
should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
6:4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6:6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews
think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these
words.
6:7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in
Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us
take counsel together.
6:8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them
out of thine own heart.
6:9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not
done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was
shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the
doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the
temple to save his life? I will not go in.
6:12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for
Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
6:13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter
for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
6:14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the
prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
6:15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
6:16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about
us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was
wrought of our God.
6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah
came unto them.
6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son
of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters
to put me in fear.
Chapter 7 – List of Returned Exiles
7:1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the
singers and the Levites were appointed,
7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he
was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
7:3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they
stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
7:4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
7:5 And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that
they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at
the first, and found written therein,
7:6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been
carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to
Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
7:7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan,
Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;
7:8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
7:9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
7:10 The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and two.
7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred
and eighteen.
7:12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
7:13 The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.
7:14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
7:15 The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight.
7:16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight.
7:17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.
7:18 The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore and seven.
7:19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven.
7:20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and five.
7:21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
7:22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.
7:23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four.
7:24 The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
7:25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
7:26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred fourscore and eight.
7:27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
7:28 The men of Bethazmaveth, forty and two.
7:29 The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.
7:30 The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
7:31 The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and two.
7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty and three.
7:33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
7:34 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
7:35 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
7:36 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one.
7:38 The children of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
7:39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
7:40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
7:41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
7:42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
7:44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.
7:45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of
Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.
7:46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
7:47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,
7:48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,
7:49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,
7:50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,
7:51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,
7:52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,
7:53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
7:54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
7:55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,
7:56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
7:57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of
Perida,
7:58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
7:59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children
of Amon.
7:60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
7:61 And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but
they could not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.
7:63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took
one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.
7:64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found:
therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
7:65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood
up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
7:67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three
hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.
7:68 Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:
7:69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.
7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a
thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
7:71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold,
and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
7:72 And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand
pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments.
7:73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the
Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel
were in their cities.
Chapter 8 – Ezra Reads the Law
8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the
water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD
had commanded to Israel.
8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that
could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday,
before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were
attentive unto the book of the law.
8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside
him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand;
and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah,
and Meshullam.
8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when
he opened it, all the people stood up:
8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up
their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
8:7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah,
Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood
in their place.
8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to
understand the reading.
8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the
people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all
the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them
for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the
LORD is your strength.
8:11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye
grieved.
8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great
mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests,
and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
8:14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of
Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto
the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and
branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
8:16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof
of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate,
and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
8:17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat
under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel
done so. And there was very great gladness.
8:18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they
kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
Chapter 9 – People of Israel confess their sins
9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting,
and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins,
and the iniquities of their fathers.
9:3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth
part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.
9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni,
Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and
Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious
name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
9:6 Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host,
the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all;
and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
9:7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the
Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
9:8 And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the
Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give
it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
9:10 And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his
land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this
day.
9:11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry
land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
9:12 Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give
them light in the way wherein they should go.
9:13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them
right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
9:14 And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and
laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
9:15 And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of
the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst
sworn to give them.
9:16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy
commandments,
9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but
hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art
a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them
not.
9:18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of
Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud
departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them
light, and the way wherein they should go.
9:20 Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth,
and gavest them water for their thirst.
9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes
waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
9:22 Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they
possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
9:23 Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land,
concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
9:24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of
the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land,
that they might do with them as they would.
9:25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged,
vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat,
and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs,
and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great
provocations.
9:27 Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of
their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy
manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
9:28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of
their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee,
thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt
proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man
do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
9:30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets:
yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for
thou art a gracious and merciful God.
9:32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and
mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our
princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time
of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
9:33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done
wickedly:
9:34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto
thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
9:35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them,
and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked
works.
9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit
thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
9:37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also
they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests,
seal unto it.
Chapter 10 – Sealing & Obligations of the Covenant
10:1 Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
10:2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
10:3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
10:5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
10:6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
10:8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.
10:9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10:10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
10:11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
10:12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
10:13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
10:14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
10:15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
10:16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
10:17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
10:18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
10:19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
10:20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
10:21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
10:22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
10:23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
10:24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
10:25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
10:26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
10:27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
10:28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all
they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their
sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in
God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of
the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
10:30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for
our sons:
10:31 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would
not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the
exaction of every debt.
10:32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the
service of the house of our God;
10:33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the
sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make
an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring
it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn
upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year,
unto the house of the LORD:
10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our
herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of
our God:
10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner
of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our
ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the
Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure
house.
10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new
wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that
minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Esther
Introduction
Author and Title

Like many OT books, Esther is an anonymous work. The only hints of its origin are the references it
contains to some of the key events of the story being committed to writing in either official court
records (2:23; 6:1) or edicts issued by the king or his representatives (3:12–15; 8:8–14). It is
possible that the author was someone like Mordecai, who had access to such material and a keen
interest in Jewish affairs. His familiarity with Persian customs of the time suggests that he lived not
long after the events described.
However, certain features of the book have troubled both Jewish and Christian readers: it does not
mention God, it promotes a festival not prescribed in the Law of Moses, and it has an apparently
vindictive spirit that some have found offensive. As late as the Reformation, Martin Luther criticized
it on the grounds that it was too aggressively Jewish and had no gospel content. Nevertheless, it was
recognized as Scripture by the Jews well before the time of Christ—a long tradition clearly evident
in Jewish writings just after the NT. For example, Josephus says that the Jewish Scriptures were
written from the time of Moses “until Artaxerxes” (Against Apion 1.40–41), and elsewhere he
identifies this Artaxerxes as “Ahasuerus” in the book of Esther (Jewish Antiquities 11.184).
Therefore he apparently counts Esther as the last book to be written in the Jewish canon. And the
Mishnah has an entire tractate (Megillah) that discusses the time and manner of reading Esther
publicly on the Feast of Purim. The Jewish scholar Aquila included Esther in his translation of the
Hebrew Bible into Greek around a.d. 130. In the Christian church, Esther was listed among the
books of the OT canon at the Council of Carthage in a.d. 397 but was widely and perhaps universally
accepted in the Western church before that time (though doubts about its canonicity had persisted
among some in the Eastern church).
Date
Since the book of Esther is anonymous, it cannot be dated by the years of its author. However, it
matches well the time period in which it is set (the reign of Ahasuerus, 485–464 b.c.); hence it is
probably from this time or soon thereafter.
Theme
The book of Esther tells how a Jewish girl became the queen of Persia and saved her people from a
plot to destroy them. She is assisted in this by Mordecai, her cousin and guardian. It also explains
how a special festival, called Purim, was established to recall and celebrate the deliverance that the
Jews had experienced.
Key Themes
Esther does much more than explain the origin of Purim. It is a most entertaining story, and it
communicates some important truths about how and why the Jews survived such an overwhelming
threat. This message can be summarized under three headings:
1. Divine providence. While God is never mentioned in the book, there are many hints of his
presence. The downfall of Vashti (1:10–22), the decision to hold an elaborate “beauty contest” as a
way of replacing her (2:1–18), and Mordecai’s overhearing of a plot against the king (2:19–23) all
conspire to move Esther and Mordecai into positions of power before the threat posed by Haman
emerges (3:1–3). Once it does, the perfect timing of apparently fortuitous events again and again
tips the balance in favor of the Jews and against their enemies. The king’s insomnia on the night
before Mordecai’s execution (6:1–3), Haman’s entry at the moment Ahasuerus is wondering how to
reward Mordecai (6:6), and the king’s return just when Haman is falling on Esther’s couch (7:8) all
significantly affect the eventual outcome, but none is knowingly caused by any of the human
characters. Moreover, the characters themselves seem to be aware that something more than
chance is shaping events. Mordecai is sure the Jews will be delivered in some way or other and
suspects that Esther has “come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (4:14). Even Haman’s wife
knows that if Mordecai is a Jew, then Haman is destined to fall before him (6:13), and Esther’s
calling of a fast before approaching the king can hardly be anything other than an appeal for divine
help (4:16).
The deliverance experienced here in Esther is very different from the exodus from Egypt in the time
of Moses. There are no signs and wonders, no special revelations, no prophet like Moses—and no
one even mentions God! Yet the way the story is told makes it clear that, even when God is most
hidden, he is still present and working to protect and deliver his chosen people.
2. Human responsibility. Although the story shows that the outcome is a divine gift rather than a
human achievement, Esther and Mordecai do show great initiative and courage, and their actions
are obviously significant. A little over a century earlier, the prophet Jeremiah had written to the
exiles in Babylon about the responsibilities and benefits of good citizenship, especially under
foreign rule: ‘thus says the Lord . . . seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and
pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer. 29:4–7).
Esther and Mordecai are not unambiguously noble in the way that Daniel and his friends were.
Nevertheless, Mordecai’s action when he discovers a plot to harm the king (Est. 2:19–23) is a good
example of someone behaving as Jeremiah had advised, and it shows the benefits that this can
bring. Furthermore, Esther’s careful planning, along with her willingness to put her own life at risk
to save her people, is especially heroic (4:16). Esther and Mordecai both illustrate the fact that
divine providence does not negate the responsibility of people to act with courage and resolve
when circumstances require it.
3. The absurdity of wickedness. Ahasuerus and Haman were important people who wielded
considerable power. But the story of Esther again and again evokes laughter at their expense.
Ahasuerus rules over 127 provinces but cannot control his wife (Queen Vashti), and his so-called
“wise men” are no better (1:12–13). But the most telling humor is at the expense of Haman. The
reader is clearly meant to laugh at the way his vanity traps him into having to publicly honor the
very man he intended to kill (6:6–11), and his death on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai
(7:8–10) is a classic case of a villain falling into his own pit (cf. Ps. 7:15). This is all obviously meant
to teach that the arrogant of this world are not nearly as powerful as they think they are, and that
when they oppose God’s people (and therefore God himself) they only succeed in bringing about
their own destruction. God laughs at such people (Ps. 2:4), and the story of Esther invites us to
laugh with him.

As its content makes clear, Esther was written to explain the origin of the Feast of Purim and to
ensure that it would be observed by all future generations of the Jewish people (9:28). It is also
clear that it has achieved this purpose, since Jews have continued to observe Purim to the present
day, with the book of Esther being read as part of the festivities.
The word Purim is derived from the Persian word pur (“lot”) and recalls how Haman, the enemy of
the Jews, cast lots to determine the best day to carry out his plan to exterminate them (3:7). Of all
the Jewish festivals, Purim is the most secular in flavor, and one of the most joyful. These days it is
normally celebrated on only one day, the fourteenth of Adar (in February/March), preceded by a
day of fasting. Children are given gragers (rattles) so that, when the story of Esther is read, they can
make a loud noise to drown out the name of the wicked Haman whenever it occurs. Other festivities
include exchanging presents, giving food parcels to the poor, performing Purim plays, and wearing
costumes. In Israel, a Purim carnival is held. It has become a celebration, not just of the deliverance
experienced in the days of Esther and Mordecai, but of the amazing survival of the Jewish people for
thousands of years in spite of persecution and hardship.
In terms of biblical history, Esther belongs to the period after the Babylonian exile, when Persia had
replaced Babylon as the ruling power. The story is set in Susa, the Persian capital, during the reign
of King Ahasuerus, better known by his Greek name, Xerxes I (485–464 b.c.). Some Jews had
returned to Jerusalem, where they enjoyed a reasonable amount of control over their own affairs as
described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Others, like Esther and Mordecai, were still in exile.
As a minority group, the Jews were viewed with suspicion and sometimes faced threats to their
existence from people in a position to harm them. In this respect Esther and Mordecai’s situation
was similar to that of Daniel and his friends a century or so earlier.
Apart from the book of Esther itself, the main sources of information about Persia in the relevant
period are the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus (c. 485–425 b.c.) and a limited amount of
relevant archaeological evidence from Susa and elsewhere. Esther herself is not mentioned in these
sources, and Herodotus gives the name of Xerxes” wife as Amestris. However, Xerxes may have had
more than one wife, and it was Esther who was of special interest to the biblical author. In other
respects the details of the book agree with what is known of the period from other sources (e.g., see
notes on 1:1; 1:2–3; 1:4; 2:5; 2:6; 2:7; 2:15; 2:16; 2:18).
The Persian Empire at the Time of Esther
c. 479 b.c. Long before Esther’s time, the people of Israel and Judah (later called Jews) had been
dispersed throughout the Near East by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Eventually the Persians
absorbed nearly all of these lands into their empire, which reached its greatest extent during the
time of Esther. Thus Haman’s plot to exterminate all Jews throughout the Persian Empire would
have annihilated virtually all of the Jewish people, and Esther’s daring actions saved them from
complete destruction.
Relevance for Christians Today
Esther is part of a much larger story that runs all the way from Abraham to Christ and, through him,
to the church. If Haman had succeeded, the Jewish people as a whole would have been destroyed,
and the story of God’s saving work in and through Abraham’s descendants would have come to an
end. There would have been no fulfillment in Christ, and therefore no gospel and no Christian
church. Nothing less than that was at stake. That is why Christians should read the book of Esther,
not just as a story about the Jews but as part of their own heritage. It is because of this fundamental
connection between God’s purposes in the OT and NT that Christians are to value and learn from
the whole Bible as the Word of God (see 1 Cor. 10:11). This side of the cross, Jews and Gentiles have
been made one new people in Christ (Eph. 2:11–16). Christians are not obliged to observe the Feast
of Purim, but they are to take to heart the truth that God providentially watches over his own, and
that no power leveled against them can ultimately prevail (Rom. 8:28).
Sadly, the evil of anti-Semitism still exists, and it would be foolish to think that Christians are
immune from it. The history of the church indicates otherwise, and, as part of the Christian Canon,
the book of Esther still warns against it. But the only real solution to it is the gospel, and the
transformation God brings about in the hearts of those who believe it. That is a beginning, however,
not an end, and Christians are called to live in a world with some striking resemblances to the one
Esther and Mordecai lived in. Governing authorities are often indifferent and sometimes even
hostile to the faith of believers, and especially in the West, events often take their normal course
with little or no evidence of the miraculous. But the book of Esther, like the NT, teaches how to live
in that world with courage and integrity, carrying out responsibilities to the best of one’s ability and
trusting God in his providence to protect and provide.

For each following generation of Jews, the book of Esther answers the question, “How is it that we
are still here?” by pointing to God’s often hidden purpose. In the larger story of the Canon, it shows
how God has preserved the offspring of Abraham for his purpose of bringing blessing to the whole
world through them by raising up the Messiah and by including Gentile believers in his people.
Thus Gentile Christians own this as their story too.
Outline
1. Introduction (1:1–2:23)
a. Queen Vashti’s downfall (1:1–22)
b. Esther’s rise to the throne (2:1–18)
c. Mordecai’s success in foiling a plot against the king (2:19–23)
2. Main Action (3:1–9:19)
a. Haman plots to kill the Jews (3:1–15)
b. Mordecai and Esther plan to save their people (4:1–17)
c. Esther is favorably received by the king and prepares to expose Haman (5:1–8)
d. Haman prepares to hang Mordecai (5:9–14)
e. Mordecai is honored and Haman is humiliated (6:1–13)
f. Esther brings about Haman’s destruction (6:14–7:10)
g. Esther wins the right of the Jews to defend themselves (8:1–17)
h. The Jews completely destroy their enemies (9:1–19)
3. Conclusion (9:20–10:3)
a. The establishment of the Feast of Purim (9:20–32)
b. Mordecai’s high rank and beneficent rule (10:1–3)
Chapter 1 – King’s Banquet | Queen Vashti's Refusal
1:1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto
Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
1:2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan
the palace,
1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of
Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
1:4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many
days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
1:5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in
Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's
palace;
1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver
rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and
white, and black, marble.
1:7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal
wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
1:8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the
officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king
Ahasuerus.
1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman,
Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the
presence of Ahasuerus the king,
1:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes
her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
1:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore
was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
1:13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all
that knew law and judgment:
1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan,
the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
1:15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the
commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to
the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king
Ahasuerus.
1:17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their
husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to
be brought in before him, but she came not.
1:18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have
heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the
laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king
Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
1:20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it
is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
1:21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of
Memucan:
1:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof,
and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it
should be published according to the language of every people.
Chapter 2 – Esther chosen as queen
2:1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and
what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2:2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the
king:
2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together
all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege
the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
2:4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the
king; and he did so.
2:5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the
son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
2:6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with
Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
2:7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor
mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead,
took for his own daughter.
2:8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many
maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was
brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things
for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given
her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the bplace of the house of the
women.
2:10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should
not shew it.
2:11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and
what should become of her.
2:12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve
months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications
accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other
things for the purifying of the women;)
2:13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her
out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
2:14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to
the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king
no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
2:15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for
his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's
chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them
that looked upon her.
2:16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the
month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
2:17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more
than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he
made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
2:19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
2:20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did
the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
2:21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and
Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
2:22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the
king thereof in Mordecai's name.
2:23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on
a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Chapter 3 – Haman plots against the Jews
3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and
advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
3:2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king
had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3:3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressthou the
king's commandment?
3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told
Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of
wrath.
3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of
Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of
Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that
is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the
month Adar.
3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed
among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither
keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents
of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
3:10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the
Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
3:11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it
seemeth good to thee.
3:12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written
according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were
over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof,
and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with
the king's ring.
3:13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to
perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
3:14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all
people, that they should be ready against that day.
3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in
Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
Chapter 4 – Esther agrees to help the Jews
4:1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with
ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
4:2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with
sackcloth.
4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great
mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4:4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly
grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he
received it not.
4:5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend
upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
4:6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.
4:7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman
had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
4:8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to
shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to
make supplication unto him, and to make requbefore him for her people.
4:9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
4:11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether
man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to
put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I
have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
4:12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the
king's house, more than all the Jews.
4:14 For if thou altogether holdthy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance
arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who
knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor
drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king,
which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
4:17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Chapter 5 – Esther prepares a banquer | Mordecai plans to hang Haman
5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner
court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the
royal house, over against the gate of the house.
5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in
his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near,
and touched the top of the sceptre.
5:3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even
given thee to the half of the kingdom.
5:4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the
banquet that I have prepared for him.
5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and
Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted
thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
5:7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my requis;
5:8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to
perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will
do to morrow as the king hath said.
5:9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the
king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
5:10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends,
and Zeresh his wife.
5:11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things
wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of
the king.
5:12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet
that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
5:13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
5:14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high,
and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily
with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Chapter 6 – The King Honors Mordecai
6:1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the
chronicles; and they were read before the king.
6:2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's
chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
6:3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the
king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
6:4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's
house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
6:5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let
him come in.
6:6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king
delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour
more than to myself?
6:7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
6:8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth
upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
6:9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that
they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback
through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king
delighteth to honour.
6:10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said,
and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast
spoken.
6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback
through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the
king delighteth to honour.
6:12 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having
his head covered.
6:13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his
wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast
begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
6:14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring
Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Chapter 7 – Haman is Hung
7:1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
7:2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition,
queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to
the half of the kingdom.
7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please
the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold
for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the
king's damage.
7:5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that
durst presume in his heart to do so?
7:6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the
king and the queen.
7:7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman
stood up to make requfor his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against
him by the king.
7:8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman
was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me
in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
7:9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits
high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of
Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's
wrath pacified.
Chapter 8 – Esther saves the Jews
8:1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen.
And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
8:2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And
Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
8:3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to
put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
8:4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
8:5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before
the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:
8:6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the
destruction of my kindred?
8:7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given
Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon
the Jews.
8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the
writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
8:9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the
three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the
Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto
Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof,
and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to
their language.
8:10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by
posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
8:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to
stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province
that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
8:12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth
month, which is the month Adar.
8:13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all
people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
8:14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the
king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
8:15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a
great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and
was glad.
8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
8:17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree
came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became
Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Chapter 9 – The Jews destroy their enemies
9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's
commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews
hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them
that hated them;)
9:2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king
Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of
them fell upon all people.
9:3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king,
helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.
9:4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for
this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
9:5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction,
and did what they would unto those that hated them.
9:6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.
9:7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
9:8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
9:9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
9:10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil
laid they not their hand.
9:11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
9:12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in
Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rof the king's provinces? now
what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy requfurther? and it shall be done.
9:13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to
morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
9:14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged
Haman's ten sons.
9:15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the
month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
9:16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for
their lives, and had rfrom their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid
not their hands on the prey,
9:17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and
made it a day of feasting and gladness.
9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the
fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and
gladness.
9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the
month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of
the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,
9:21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the
fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto
them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of
feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
9:23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
9:24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against
the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
9:25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he
devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged
on the gallows.
9:26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this
letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,
9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined
themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their
writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
9:28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family,
every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the
memorial of them perish from their seed.
9:29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to
confirm this second letter of Purim.
9:30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom
of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther
the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of
the fastings and their cry.
9:32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
Chapter 10 – Fame of Mordecai
10:1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai,
whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of
Media and Persia?
10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the
multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Joel
Introduction
Let’s find some quotations on preparation. This class is not just for the academic or intellectual
knowledge. But what I am looking for is the way you influence your friends, in the classroom and
outside of classroom. How do you manage your life? How this study affects your life and your
mindset, and your philosophy? How do you formulate your idea to go out there and to help the
people and to help the church? When we study OT, you will feel that you don’t need NT. Because OT
contains everything that is in NT. It’s not just only old history back 2,000 years ago. It’s for you and
I: How do we find that this is the inspired word of God for me today. That’s what I am looking for.
3SM 338 Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of the
ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for
us. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11). "Not unto themselves, but
unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached
the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to
look into" (1 Peter 1:12).
Title and Author

“Joel, the son of Pethuel,” whose name means “Yahweh is God,” gives the book its title. Little is
known of Joel except what is learned from the book itself. His references to Judah (3:1, 6, 8, 18, 19,
20) and Jerusalem (2:32; 3:1, 6, 16, 17, 20), along with his knowledge of the activities of priest and
temple (1:9, 13–14, 16; 2:14–17), suggest that he was from Judah or perhaps even Jerusalem. His
address to priests (1:9, 13; 2:17) and elders (1:2, 14; 2:16) likely eliminates him as a member of
either group. Joel is the son of Pethuel. (Joel 1:1). Joel means “Yahweh is God.”
Date
Estimates for dating the book of Joel range from the ninth to the fourth centuries b.c. While no
consensus has been reached, most people hold to a date after the exile (586 b.c.) for the following
reasons: (1) the exile is treated as a past event (3:2–3); (2) the conquest of Jerusalem is mentioned
(3:17); (3) no king is mentioned; (4) the temple plays a positive function, while there is no
prophetic denunciation against the idolatry and syncretism mentioned in Hosea and Amos; and (5)
the anger expressed toward Edom is best explained by its treatment of Judeans during the
Babylonian conquest (Joel 3:19; Obad. 1–21). There is no specific names of the kings, no specific
denominating empire, so we do not know exact date of the writing. But we can get some hints by his
mentioning of Tyre, Zidon, and Grecians(Greek) in chapter 3. He talks about the people being
captivated by aggressive Grecians. Joel talks about people being captive by them.According to such
information, we can conclude that BC 7th Century is more accurate, since Greek did not become
denominating power until 7th Century. If that’s true, we can harmonize with the fact that the
Assyrian empire is not mentioned since It’s nearing the end and became weak. Babylon was yet
weak at that time. Tyre and Zidon was not hostile nation towards Judah until BC 7th Century.
Theme
The “day of the Lord” is the dominant theme of the book of Joel. Both the nations (3:2–3) and Israel
(1:15; 2:1–2) experience this judgment. However, for the repentant community, the “day” also
holds out the hope of restoration (2:12–14). Ultimately, the Lord’s covenant faithfulness is
expressed in his promises of abundance and protection (2:23–26; 3:1), which evidence his dwelling
in the midst of his people (2:27; 3:17, 21). This is epitomized in the great promise of “my Spirit” that
would be poured out on “all flesh” (2:28, 29; cf. Acts 2:17–21).
Key Themes
1. Day of the Lord. This is the major theme of Joel. The exact expression, yom yhwh (Hb., “day of
the Lord”), is found five times in Joel (1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14) and 13 times in seven other
prophetic books (Isa. 13:6, 9; Jer. 46:10; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Amos 5:18–20; Obad. 15; Zeph.
1:7, 14; Mal. 4:5; see note on Amos 5:18–20). Other ways of referring to the “day” found
throughout prophetic literature (e.g., “a day,” ‘those days,” ‘that day”) are used by Joel as
well (Joel 2:2; 3:1, 18). Within Joel, the “day” refers not only to a final day of judgment upon
the nations (3:2) but also to God’s ongoing judgment of Israel, both past and future (1:15;
2:2, 11), and instances of his intervention between Israel and the nations (3:1–2, 12, 14, 16).
In each case, the “day of the Lord” indicates a time when the presence of the Lord brings
judgment and/or deliverance and blessing, depending on the circumstances (see note on
1:15). Therefore, although the “day” heralds destruction for the nations, it also functions as
a time of salvation for God’s people; the Lord remains a refuge amid the chaos of judgment
(3:15–16).
2. Repentance. If the whole community would cry out to the Lord (1:13–20) and look to him—
not merely with external actions but in sincerity with their whole persons (2:12–13)—then
judgment may be averted. However, the Lord is not bound by the acts of the community
(2:14); it is his prerogative to send or withhold the destruction by the locusts (1:15), just as
the army is his to command (2:11).
3. The Lord in their midst. It is, of course, crucial that the people have a living faith and
repentance; however, the reason the Lord will turn from judgment to blessing is to express
his covenant-keeping character (2:13, 18–26; 3:18). His promise to dwell in the midst of his
people is prominent not only in Joel (2:27; 3:17, 21) but also throughout the OT (Num.
35:34; Deut. 6:15; 7:21; Isa. 12:6; Hos. 11:9; Zeph. 3:15, 17; Hag. 2:5; Zech. 2:10–11; 8:3).
God’s restoration of what the locusts have destroyed (Joel 2:27) and his protection of Israel
as the cosmos crumbles (3:16–17) both have the same goal: knowledge of his presence. This
theme concludes the book (3:21), highlighting its importance for Joel.
4. These themes—the day of the Lord, repentance, and God dwelling amid his people—
converge in the promise of the future outpouring of the Spirit (2:28–32). This outpouring is
associated with the day of the Lord (2:31) in both its judgmental (2:30–31; cf. 2:10; 3:15)
and its saving (2:32) manifestations. It is related to repentance in that those who are saved
are those who call “on the name of the Lord” (2:32). Finally, the giving of the Spirit, crossing
all boundaries of gender, generation, social class, or nationality (2:28–29), is the ultimate
evidence of God “in their midst” (Isa. 63:11; Hag. 2:5).

Joel calls all the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem to lament and return to the Lord during a time
of national calamity. This crisis is precipitated in the first instance by a locust plague that has
destroyed both wine (1:5, 7, 12) and grain (1:10) and therefore threatens the ability of the people
of God to present offerings in the temple (1:9, 13, 16). Given this background, Joel may have served
as a lament in the ongoing life of God’s people during other times of national tragedy. BC 7th
Century is the time of early reign of the king Josiah who became a king at the age of 8. Time period
when the king Josiah had a regent over him. So that time, king Josiah was not a prominent figure as
a leader. That may explain the fact that there is no mentioning of his name.
Why God Shows Us This Long Wicked History?
When we study this OT history, you will cry out, “Lord, how can you be so patient, and endure so
much with this wicked people and the nation of apostasy?” And we realize the value of human
beings. They are worthy. How can you stand the king Manasseh? He chopped off the head of
Isaiah, the prophet of God. But later on he turned away from his wickedness, and in heaven, these
two will meet each other.
Sung Hoon, if you do not make it to go to heaven, there will be a space in Jesus” heart no one can fill
in throughout eternity. You are a unique person not in the world, but in the universe. You are the
only person that you can give certain ingredient for praise and glory to Jesus Christ. Without you,
Jesus Christ is going to miss it through out eternity. We are worthy to Him. That’s why Jesus Christ
came down to this earth and died. God loves us. When we study Israel and Judah, sometimes we
will be disgusted. Yet God has been patient. Here is a great lesson, when there are some people that
are hated, that are unlovable, disgusting. How would you treat that person in your life? No matter
who you are, no matter what you are, you are most valuable to God.
The Reason of Division of the Kingdoms
PK 293 God’s favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience. At the foot of Sinai
they had entered into covenant relationship with Him as His "peculiar treasure. . . above all people."
Solemnly they had promised to follow in the path of obedience. "All that the Lord hath spoken we will
do," they had said. Exodus 19:5,8.
2 Chron 11:1-4 [1] Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah
and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against
Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. [2] But the word of the LORD came to
Shemaiah the man of God, saying, [3] ‘speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to
all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, [4] ‘thus says the LORD: "You shall not go up or fight against
your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me."“" Therefore they obeyed
the words of the LORD, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam.
First of all, God wanted to destroy all the 12 tribes. The reason God could not do that was because of
the linage is going to be broken for supplying the truth and God’s commandments to entire
world. In that purpose God still preserved small nation, the Kingdom of Judah. (1King 11:36).
Yet this nation was not that much different than the Northern Israel. But the covenant of God to
David made Him to preserve Judah. (2King 8:19). King Hosea was the king of Northern Israel at that
time. 2King 17:1. Shalmaneser was the king of Assyria. 2King 17:3. The reason why God allowed the
destruction of Samaria is because they forsook God and worshipped other gods and doing secret
sins. 2Kings 17:7-10:
2 Kings 17:7-10 [7] For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God,
which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt,
and had feared other gods, [8] And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out
from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. [9] And the
children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they
built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. [10] And
they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
What is “Remnant”?
When Northern Israel was destroyed in BC 722, there was remnant in Northern Israel too. Some of
those faithful and royal escaped the captivity and came back to the Kingdom of Judah. So the word
“remnant” was actually started in the destruction of Northern Israel. When the Kingdom of Judah
was destroyed and came back from the Babylon, they were called as “remnant” as well. So this
“remnant” motif is continued in the book of Revelation. When you escape from the influences of the
false doctrine, the wines of the Babylon, then you become remnant.
Literal Israel vs. Spiritual Israel (See Handout: SDABC, The Role of Israel and Old Testament Prophecy :
The best article in the Bible Commentary).
Prophets of the Old Testament
Ordered by targets
Prophets before the Exile:
To Israel: Amos, Hosea
To Nineveh: Jonah, Nahum
To Edom: Obadiah
To Judea: Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Habakkuk, Lamentations
Prophets during the Exile:
From Judah: Jeremiah
From Babylon: Ezekiel
From the King’s court: Daniel
Prophets after the Exile:
To the remnant: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Ordered by the message

Major Prophets
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets:
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah,
Malachi.
Five Different Point of View of “Literal Israel vs. Spiritual Israel”
Literal Vs. Spiritual Israel (How to interpret). You must understand this because as we go through
the Israel we must see how it applies to the remnant church today. How do we apply the
predictions and lessons today. We must understand how to apply the lessons, covenant,
endowments, etc. from literal Israel to Spiritual Israel. How do we divide and define them.
Five concepts:
Modernistic – They believe that there is no prophecy and all the predictions are written down after
that has taken place. All the predictions were written down after it took place. They are criticizing
the Bible. They are skeptics.
Futuristic – They believe modern state of Palestine is God’s actual Israel. Literal Israel was just the
symbol for them. So all the blessings will be fulfilled with them
British Israel Group – It’s based on the traditions and other legends, stories, believe 10 lost tribes
of the Northern Israel are British, ‘the real Israel.” They believe King Charles of England will emerge
as a spiritual leader for the future.
Christian Migration Group – They believe that because the literal Israel did not obey, the
privileges and the promises for them will be restored to the modern day spiritual Israel. God will
restore the actual modern Israel state and reinstate them as a true chosen people of God again.
God’s predictions apply to literal Israel and they did not obey, they loss the privileges. They say it
will be restored to the Jews in Palestine. And they believe God will re-instate Jews as the true
chosen of God again. So Christians should migrate to Palestine.
Seventh-day Adventists (Historicism) – They believe that the literal Israel was the chosen people
of God back then. They could prolong their privileges as long as they obeyed God. But since they
didn’t meet the condition of obedience, their privileges were stripped off. And the same term will be
restored to the spiritual Israel, the remnant who obeys the commandments of God and having the
testimony of Jesus Christ. They are also conditional.
The Setting of Joel

c. 500 b.c.? Though there is much debate about the date of Joel’s prophecies, it is likely that they
occurred during a national calamity sometime after Judah returned from exile in Babylon.
God called his ancient people in love and mercy, he preserved them to be the vehicle through which
he poured out his Spirit on all kinds of people (2:28–32), and he will preserve them against all who
seek to destroy them (ch. 3). In all of his care for them, he aims for ‘torn” hearts, and not just torn
garments, from his people (2:12–14), that they might love him with their whole hearts.
Outline
1. The Judgment against Judah and the Day of the Lord (1:1–2:17)
a. Locust invasion: forerunner of the day of the Lord (1:1–20)
b. Army invasion: the arrival of the day of the Lord (2:1–17)
2. The Mercy of the Lord and Judgment against the Nations (2:18–3:21)
a. Mercy: the Lord responds by restoring his people (2:18–32)
b. Judgment: the Lord’s judgment against the nations and his dwelling with his people
(3:1–21)
Chapter 1 – Plague of the Locust
Plague of Locust: Leadership in the church and coming judgment.
Joel is using the actual literal nature disaster that happened in the past to describe the spiritual
destruction that is about to come to Judah before the exile. He is calling for the solemn assembly for
the true repentance and sanctification. Joel is predicting a total destruction of Israel. You can
understand why he was not a popular prophet at that time. He is accusing the church and the
leadership saying that, ‘spiritually we are destroyed, barren. And yet you are celebrating! We are
dying in thirst and hunger and yet you are saying we are doing Ok. But the judgment is coming! We
saw the natural disaster in the past, and yet I tell you the spiritual judgment is coming to this
nation!"
[1] The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. [2] Hear this, ye old men, and give
ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
[3] Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another
generation. [4] That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the
locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the
caterpiller eaten. [5] Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of
the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. [6] For a nation* is come up upon my land, strong,
and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
[7] He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away;
the branches thereof are made white. [8] Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband
of her youth. [9] The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the
priests, the Lord’s ministers, mourn. [10] The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is
wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. [11] Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl,
O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. [12]
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the
apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons
of men. [13] Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all
night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is
withholden from the house of your God. [14] Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the
elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the
LORD, [15] Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the
Almighty shall it come. [16] Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the
house of our God? [17] The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns
are broken down; for the corn is withered. [18] How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are
perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. [19] O LORD,
to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath
burned all the trees of the field. [20] The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of
waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
Review: He is using as an illustration of devastation the natural destruction that came from God.
The natural judgment of God. The plague of locust that came on Judah.
1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
We only know that he was a son of this man. The historical background is around Josiah the King’s
time. He became king at age 8. He had an advisor, so his name was not prominent. He had a regent
over him. That is why his name is not mentioned in this book.
Verses 1-20 were read When you read it, it talks about total disaster and destruction that he is
predicting. He talked about locust, caterpillars, and one by one in different stages all the crops were
eaten. He was not a popular prophet at that time. These passages were fulfilled in the history of
Judea. History shows that this destruction happened. And Joel illustrates this destruction as a
spiritual destruction that was to come to Judah before their exile. He is calling for a solemn
assemblyWe see this throughout the whole book. True repentance and sanctification.
Illust: 90th Celebration. They had one in Korea in 1994. They brought in drums and the young
people flocked to hear it, and the celebration music was there.
As Joel was speaking in chapter 1 the king of Judah was fine. Outwardly speaking the people were
ok. The religious services were fine. People went to the temple to have sacrifices. It appeared to be a
strong nation. They were growing and yet Joel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit received a
vision and he could see the future.
Para: Today as we look at the SDA church. Do we see destruction? Do we see caterpillars,
locusts, etc.? No, it appears to be healthy and growing. And we are the ones criticizing the
church apparently, but through our spiritual eyes we can see it. It is coming. Joel could see the
future of the kingdom. Who are we in this illustration? Joel
Para: When we see the visions from God, who are we? Joel. We are predicting a destruction that
will come to God’s church when they appear to be successful in business administration and
evangelistic outreach.
1:2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even
in the days of your fathers?
1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another
generation.
He is crying for a solemn assembly.
1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath
the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is
cut off from your mouth.
“Awake ye drunkards, and weep” – "All these people are thirsty and they are in hunger, and all
the foods are gone. But what is the reason to celebrate about?" Joel is arguing with the church
leadership at that time. Don’t be mistaken. At this time, Israel was fine nation. Outwardly they
looked fine, growing nation, giving sacrfices and services. Yet, Joel, through the spiritual eye, the
Holy SpirIt’s inspiration, could see the future of the kingdom. Our SDA may look fine, growing, and
healthy outwardly. And we may seem to be the troublemaker in a peaceful land, criticizing the
church. Young people, you are Joel. When we see the visions from the Lord, we are predicting the
disaster and destruction of this God’s church. When this God’s church looks to be flourishing.
1:6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a
lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
"For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number" – What nation is this?
This is not a literal nation. It is symbolic. It is talking about a natural disaster. He is describing the
army of locusts, caterpillars, etc.
1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the
branches thereof are made white.
1:8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.
1:9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S
ministers, mourn.
1:10 The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil
languisheth.
1:11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley;
because the harvest of the field is perished.
1:12 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the
apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of
men.
1:13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in
sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the
house of your God.
1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into
the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,
1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it
come.
“The day of the LORD” – every time in the Bible, day of the LORD refers to the judgment day of
God. In the Bible the day of the Lord refers to the judgment day of God. It is also described as a day
of visitation (always? Study) (*PO visitation means God is going to execute judgment. Visiting the
iniquity of the fathers)
All the people were thirsty and hungry and all the fruit is gone. What reason do we have to
celebrate? This is what Joel is arguing about with the leadership. (*PO there is a famine in the land,
the people are thirsty, why are we having celebration music, what is there to celebrate about?)
1:16 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
There is no reason to celebrate.
1:17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for
the corn is withered.
He is using the illustration of what happened to Judah during their time of famine in the past to
describe the spiritual famine that was going on in the church.
1:18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the
flocks of sheep are made desolate.
1:19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame
hath burned all the trees of the field.
1:20 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath
devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
Chapter 2 - Judgment and 144,000
In chapter 2 it is talking about more than just the judgment of God that is happening. Chapter 2 is
introducing the judgment of God, but it brings in a different concept about God’s judgment. The
theme of chapter two is different. In chapter 1 he is accusing the leadership and the church saying
spiritually we are barren we are destroyed and yet you are celebrating. We are dying in thirst and
hunger and you are saying we are ok. And yet the judgment is coming. We saw the natural
judgment in the past, but now the physical and spiritual judgment is coming to this church
(nation). And with this connotation he starts chapter 2.
He is saying in chapter 2 look. God is going to judge our nation and the church with His messengers.
(Ex. John the Baptist said lay the axe to the root of the tree. You must have the fruit of true
repentance or you will be cut off. What was the judgment at the time of Jesus Christ? Jesus came to
establish the kingdom of grace, but at the same time He was judging people. Those who refused Him
as the Messiah and the kingdom of grace, they were cut off.) In chapter 2 he is saying God is going to
judge this church and nation spiritually. And God will bring out a true people of Israel. Joel is
uplifting those who are a part of true spiritual Israel. Those who have a true saving relationship
with God. A true covenant relationship with God. Those who have a justification and sanctification
experience (this is what he asked for in chapter 1). Now he is saying when this group of people
are formed. God will bring them to this church (nation) and by their messages and actions
our church will be judged by them.
In chapter 2 he is talking about judgment, but at the same time he is introducing the 144,000.(*PO
Study deeply the connection between Revelation 7 and Joel 2 the concept of the 144,000 that will
judge our church.)
When we study the Old Testament prophets we cannot help but apply these predictions literally
and spiritually to our own time. (*PO we must remember they wrote more for our own time than
their own time. Find quote and add with this sermon. We only use this quote to say that the good
things will be fulfilled in spiritual Israel, but the bad will be fulfilled too.)
How do we know? Review: He is saying that was nothing. You saw it and experienced it in the pass,
but this is nothing compared to the spiritual judgment that will come on the day of the Lord. This is
the real judgment from the Lord. In this judgment God is going to utilize the 144,000, the purified
spiritual Israel. With their lives and messages, God is going to judge the church.
Recap for both: Yes God judged and destroyed this nation by locust, but the second judgment is
more devastating. It is spiritual. When the 144,000 go out with their message, if the people receive
it they will be sealed, if they reject it they will be destroyed. And the destruction will be the second
death. Then he speaks of the day-of-atonement.
In Leviticus 16 God asked two things: Afflict their souls and Fasting or do not do any work or labor.
The day-of-atonement symbolized the lifestyle that Christians should live after 1844 until the close
of probation. The whole 359 days of the year in the Jewish custom, represents the whole human
history up until 1844. the day of atonement represents the day from 1844 until the close of
probation. God says on the Day of Atonement you do two things: No work, afflict your souls. So in
the last days they should live differently. The Christians in the last days should live differently after
1844 than previous generations. That is where the SDA’s come in. without this message, we have
nothing to give to the world. We must dress, eat, think, work and believe differently. It doesn’t mean
we don’t literally work.
Matthew 7 explains what it means. He said don’t worry about temporal things. God knows our
needs. We work and plan, but don’t worry about it. Luke 21:24 Jesus says 3 things: Gluttony,
drunkenness, Surfeiting (gluttony), and cares of this life, they will dull your senses so you cannot
discern the coming of Jesus. You will not be able to see spiritual things clearly. SOP Thoughts of the
Mount of Blessing: We should not have a job if it interferes with righteousness in your character.
Move everything that comes between your experience for the Day of Atonement. Seek ye first…all
these things added. This is the lifestyle for the Day of Atonement. This is what Joel is talking about
blow the trumpet in Zion, you work for righteousness. Afflict your soul means true searching of
heart, confession, repentance of sin and fasting. This is talking about a healthful diet. Joel is turning
their minds to the true repentance and revival of Israel in this judgment message.
Applications
 “Desolate Eden” (8)
Chapter Outline
 The Day of the Lord (1-11)
 Call To Repentance (12-17)
 Promise of Restoration (18-32)
The Day of the Lord (1-11)

VERSE [1] Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the
inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; [2] A day of
darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the
mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more
after it, even to the years of many generations. [3] A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a
flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate
wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. [4] The appearance of them is as the appearance of
horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. [5] Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains
shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in
battle array. [6] Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
[7] They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march
every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: [8] Neither shall one thrust another;
they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be
wounded. [9] They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up
upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. [10] The earth shall quake before
them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw
their shining: [11] And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for
he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can
abide it?
You saw the natural disasters, but that’s nothing compared to the spiritual judgment to come. Look,
God is going to judge our nation and the church with His messengers. God is going to bring about
the true people of Israel who have true saving relationship with God, who has solemn assembly
experience, who has true sanctification experience. When these people are formed, God will bring
them to this nation, and by their actions and messages, our church and nation will be judged!
2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the
land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion” – Trumpet was for preparing the Day of Atonement. The word “My
holy mountain” (v1) is referring to the Sanctuary. It’s talking about the Day of Atonement (Lev
16), which is the Investigative Judgment.
The Day of Atonement symbolizes the lifestyle of God’s people who live after 1844 until the close of
probation. Whole year, 364 all other days represents whole human history up to 1844. But the Day
of Atonement symbolizes the life after 1844 up to close of probation. On the Day of Atonement, God
told them to do two certain things: Afflict your souls and do not do any work. That day they should
live differently than other days. Which means the Christian should live differently after 1844 than
any previous generations. That’s where SDA comes in. If we do not have this message, we have no
message! We have to dress differently, eat differently, think differently, and preach differently!
1. Do no work – If you study Matt 6, it settles up all. He didn’t mean that we do not have to do
anything and just seat around and be lazy. All he said was do not worry about temporary
needs of this earth. Look at the Lilies, look at the fowls in the sky, look at the grass, they
don’t farm, they don’t cultivate the land, and yet God provides them! Yes, you still work; you
do diligently your responsibility, but don’t worry about it “…for your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:25-34.
Three things that will indulge our senses so that we can’t see coming of Christ: “And take
heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34.
Worries for the temporal life are going to becloud your sense, same thing as intoxicated
with Alcohol, and you cannot see spiritual things clearly. MB “We should give up the job if
that hinders to fulfill the righteous in our character.” If your job is bothering you in building
up the character, get rid of it. If your business is bothering you, get rid of it. Get rid of
everything that comes between you and the Day of Atonement. That’s what it means. Do not
work means, yes, we work, but do not worry about the temporary things. If you ‘seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you.” Matt 25:33. That is the life style for the Day of Atonement. That is what the Joel is
talking about: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion.”
2. Afflict Soul – True searching of heart, repentance and confession of sins.
3. Fasting – healthful diet.
What day is the blowing of the trumpets a preparation for? The day-of-atonement. This is the
blowing of the trumpets. They were blown 10 days prior to the day-of-atonement for repentance.
“holy mountain” – This is talking about His sanctuary or temple.
“tremble” – This is talking about afflicting your souls. This is brought out in Leviticus 16 (same
thing)
“day of the Lord” is referring to judgment. This is talking about the investigative judgment.
2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread
upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any
more after it, even to the years of many generations.
What people? A great people and a strong. And they are described as this ‘there hath not been ever
the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.”
(*PO the interpretation is that it referred to a group of people that God would bring out to judge
their nation. But the application that applies to our day is that the 144,000 will be brought out to
judge the world and church. Is this dual interpretation or just application?).
What group of people does this describe? A group of people that none were like ever before or ever
will be. Who is that referring to? The 144,000 the only unique generation. What are they doing?
Note: Acts and General Epistles and Latter Old Testament blend together. They connect. You cannot
separate the NT from the OT.
This is describing how fast the work will be done. The rest of the chapter describes the work of the
144,000.
“A great people…144,000” – Here is we find the similar description with 144,000. We will be
looking at some of the characteristics laid down in this chapter about 144,000.
Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning
spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither
shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
“there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it” – It’s an exact description
of 144,000. By their loud cry, their formation, by their life, the nation will be judged.
Joel 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of
Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
“the land is as the garden of Eden before them. But behind them a desolate wilderness” –
Whole nation and church may seem good and flourishing outwardly, growing, may look like
beautiful garden. But when these 144,000 pass through them, their real state will be revealed.
Joel 2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall
march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
“they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks” – When this
people, when they work, there is no hierarchical organization! There is no general conference. They
work individually, and yet, by the Holy Spirit, they work in order, in harmony. They do not break
their ranks. It’s talking about the work after Sunday Law, there will be no general conference. If
organization still left after the Sunday Law, is it true Seventh-day Adventists? Maybe they will not
call themselves Seventh-day Adventist anymore. Maybe they will call themselves just “Adventist.”
But without the structure and organization, yet they will work as one, because they listen to the
voice of the Holy Spirit. Even though they go as an individual, they work in such an order as a
mighty army. They do not break their ranks!
Joel 2:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall
upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
“they shall not be wounded” – Isn’t this 144,000? Through these Minor Prophets, at the end of
destruction of the Judean kingdom, with deep sorrow and agony God is saying this, “Yes, I know
Israel people are disobedient. They are not following my covenant at all. I know they will go down
and fail again just like the Northern kingdom. But still there will be my people. In last days, I am
going to have my true spiritual Israel, and they are going to fulfill my covenant and promises in
their life. God is predicting the glorious triumph of the last history of the spiritual Israel through
Minor Prophets in OT.
144,000 in Proverbs 30:24-28:
Pro 30:24-28 [24] There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
[25] The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; [26] The conies are
but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; [27] The locusts have no king, yet go they
forth all of them by bands; [28] The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
Last Generation concept.
Ants – Even though you do not see the sweeping, cold blizzard, yet, you prepare yourself; that’s
final generation. You store the word of God in your mind.
Conies – They live in the high mountains in the rocks. When the enemies attack them, they just go
into the rock and hide themselves. Are there enemies coming to you? Hide yourself in Christ.
Locusts – 144,000, when they are moved by the Holy Spirit, they are not going to have the
president of GC, yet they work in such a harmony.
Spider – ‘spider” is “lizard” in older languages. The characteristics of lizard are that when you catch
the tail of it, it will grow back. Even thou Satan cut your tails, you will grow back and live in the
heavenly palaces.
Example:
Joel 2:7-8 [7]…they shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they
shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: [8] Neither shall one thrust
another; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be
wounded.
2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden
before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
“fire devoureth before them..flame burneth” – They are judging. Yes they give the loud cry, but
by the formation of the 144,000 the SDA’s are going to be judged by their truth (it is the truth of
God) and their lives. If they don’t conform with the message that is being given, they will be cut off
even if their names are in the church book. (Study!!) It is judgment by their messages and life, by
their sanctification. As they proceed forward.
*PO In Acts chapter 2 at the falling of the early rain what was seen over their heads? Tongues of fire,
why? Because the Early rain fell and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Now we see the fire
before them and behind them why? Because the latter rain has fallen. They are filled with the Holy
Spirit. “nothing shall escape them” the message will go throughout the whole earth. Study!!
“land is as the garden of Eden before them” – Everything looks nice and good. It looks like a nice
pasture. All the churches look nice and are flourishing. The Seventh-day Adventist and all of
Christendom can lie down and feed.
“and behind them a desolate wilderness” – The means after they have passed through the
garden. What do they see? A desolate wilderness.
(*PO As they see the Garden of Eden before them, the flourishing churches, they approach it filled
with the latter rain, the power of the Holy Spirit and while there they give the judgment message,
and after they leave it is left how? Desolate. What did Christ say after He warned Jerusalem? Behold
your house, which referred to the church is left unto you desolate, meaning that the presence of God
had left them. This is the last message that will be given to the church. Judgment begins in the house
of God. “nothing shall escape them” meaning the whole earth will hear the message.)
Summary: What is Joel saying? Chapter 1: Our nation has been eaten up by nature, these insects etc.
but this is only symbolic of what will happen in the future. Soon our church will be judged. Our
spirituality is going to be desolate and barren.
Start in Revelation 12 give basic outline: God's church in 3 phases. Apostolic church, Church in the
wilderness and then it ends with the remnant. Who is the remnant? What does God have to do in
order to bring out the true spiritual remnant? Who is the true spiritual Israel? From here you can go
to the quotation: OT applies more for us. Joel chapter 1 and 2 tell us what will have to happen.
Sermon: Desolate Eden
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the
moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Descriptions:
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his
wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Sun = Christ's righteousness
Ps 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Righteousness = Commandments
Prov 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Righteousness (or Commandment keeping) = delivers you from the 2nd death.
Ps 89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Moon = faithful witness
Rev 11:3, 7 [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand
two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [7] And when they shall have finished their
testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall
overcome them, and kill them.
Witness = Gives Testimony
Testimony = Spirit of prophecy Rev 19:10 (with brethren the prophets Rev 22:9)
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the
faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Moon = represents Jesus the faithful witness
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus is the word.
Conclusion: Moon represents Jesus, His Word, and the SOP. The church is established on all three.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being
the chief corner stone;
Foundation = apostles, prophets, and Jesus. If we have a commandment keeping people it must
follow that they have a prophet. The Law and the Prophets go together.
Appeal/point: move the prophet you move a block of the foundation, you are left with an unstable
foundation. You can move it by not living it.
Represents God's church in three phases: Apostolic, Church in the wilderness, and the remnant. It
also represents God's church in the Old Testament dispensation. 12 Stars represents the 12 tribes
of Israel
DA 291 As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stand as representatives of Israel, so the
twelve apostles were to stand as representatives of the gospel church.
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Condition of Israel right before Christ was born:
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her
child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Shows us the transition When was Jesus caught up to His throne? 31 AD. When did the Apostolic
church begin? 31 AD. What church was the dragon standing before? 12 tribes or the church in the
OT dispensation.
They have the same characteristics as the church in the OT times, apostolic church, etc. But who are
they? We don't know who they are. Wheat and tares are growing together. What will God have to do
to bring out the true spiritual remnant?
First Quote:
Joel 1:2-4; 6-7; 10-13 [2] Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this
been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? [3] Tell ye your children of it, and let your
children tell their children, and their children another generation. [4] That which the palmerworm
hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and
that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. [6] For a nation is come up upon my
land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a
great lion. [7] He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and
cast it away; the branches thereof are made white. [10]The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the
corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. [11] Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen;
howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
[12] The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and
the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the
sons of men. [13] Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all
night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden
from the house of your God.
Read. Explain judgment of God that came to Judah that was a literal famine. He is using the literal
destruction that came right before their exile as an illustration to describe the spiritual famine that
would come to the church before the close of probation.
Joel 2:1-2; 4, 7, 8, 11 [1] Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let
all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; [2] A
day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon
the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any
more after it, even to the years of many generations. [4] The appearance of them is as the appearance
of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. [7]They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the
wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their
ranks: [8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall
upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. [11] And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army:
for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great
and very terrible; and who can abide it?
They are filled with the latter rain. The loud cry is given in our church first. We must accept it. If not
we will be left desolate.
Appeal
Matt 23:37-38 [37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which
are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! [38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Your house is left unto you desolate.
Ps 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the
shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Wings = symbol of trust & refuge. Calamities be overpast
Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide
thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Calamities described as indignation.
Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture
into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of
the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last
plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Indignation = 7 last plagues. Christ was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (there
probation closed.) Jerusalem was a type of the destruction of the world. We must come under His
wings before the destruction of this world, so we can stand through the 7 last plagues. Will you
allow Christ to gather you this morning? Will you experience His grace and the former rain do you
want to surrender all?
2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that
devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
2:6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every
one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
“shall not break their ranks” – this means that when they work, there is no hierarchy. There is no
G.C. president, but they work on their own under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. They work in
order and peace. They don’t break their ranks. They listen to the Holy Spirit, they go their own way,
but it is in order as an army.
This is describing the work of the 144,000 after the NSL. There will be no organization after the
NSL. Any organization after that shows that they are not true SDA’s.
2:8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the
sword, they shall not be wounded.
“thrust another” – They will not hurt one another
“not be wounded” – They don’t die. This describes the 144,000 in the last generation.
2:9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the
houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark,
and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that
executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Call to Repentance (12-17)

VERSE [12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with
fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: [13] And rend your heart, and not your garments,
and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. [14] Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a
blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? [15] Blow
the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: [16] Gather the people, sanctify the
congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the
bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. [17] Let the priests, the
ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O
LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore
should they say among the people, Where is their God?
2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and
with weeping, and with mourning:
2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering
and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those
that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
2:17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over
them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Promise of Restoration (18-32)

[18] Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people. [19] Yea, the LORD will answer
and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied
therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: [20] But I will remove far
off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face
toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his
ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. [21] Fear not, O land; be glad and
rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. [22] Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures
of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their
strength. [23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given
you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain,
and the latter rain in the first month. [24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall
overflow with wine and oil. [25] And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. [26]
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath
dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. [27] And ye shall know that I
am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall
never be ashamed. [28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all
flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions: [29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days
will I pour out my spirit. [30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and
fire, and pillars of smoke. [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. [32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever
shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
2:18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
2:19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil,
and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and
desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall
come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
2:22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth
her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
2:23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former
rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in
the first month.
2:24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller,
and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
2:26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath
dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else:
and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible
day of the LORD come.
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for
in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom
the LORD shall call.
Summary
When we study the minor prophets, have in mind that at the end of the destruction of Judah, with
deep sorrow and agony, God is saying I know My people are disobedient, they are not following my
covenant, I know they will fail again like the northern kingdom, but My people will still survive and
in the last generation I will have a true spiritual Israel and they will fulfill my covenant and
promises in their lives and you will see it. God is predicting the glorious triumph of the last
generation at the end of time through the minor prophets.
Chapter 3 – Judgment on the Nations
VERSE [1] For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah
and Jerusalem, [2] I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of
Jehoshaphat*, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they
have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. [3] And they have cast lots for my people;
and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. [4] Yea, and what
have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a
recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon
your own head; [5] Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your
temples my goodly pleasant things: [6] The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem
have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. [7] Behold, I will
raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your
own head: [8] And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah,
and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. [9] Proclaim
ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near;
let them come up: [10] Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let
the weak say, I am strong. [11] Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather
yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. [12] Let the
heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the
heathen round about. [13] Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the
press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. [14] Multitudes, multitudes in the
valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. [15] The sun and the
moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. [16] The LORD also shall roar
out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the
LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. [17] So shall ye know
that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and
there shall no strangers pass through her any more. [18] And it shall come to pass in that day, that
the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of
Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall
water the valley of Shittim. [19] Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate
wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in
their land. [20] But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. [21]
For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.
3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and
Jerusalem,
What days? When the people of Israel really come to God in true repentance and have a true
experience in the Day Of Atonement at that time.
3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead
with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations,
and parted my land.
“valley of Jehoshaphat” – You will only find this phrase in the book of Joel. It means the valley of
Kidron. Or the valley surrounding the eastern part of Jerusalem. He is saying all these nations will
come to destroy you, and I will judge them, I will destroy them. (*PO study Kidron)
3:3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine,
that they might drink.
3:4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render
me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon
your own head;
3:5 Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant
things:
3:6 The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye
might remove them far from their border.
3:7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence
upon your own head:
3:8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell
them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war
draw near; let them come up:
3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am
strong.
3:11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about:
thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge
all the heathen round about.
3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats
overflow; for their wickedness is great.
3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of
decision.
This valley of Jehos is known as the “valley of decision” in spiritual Israel it means the battle of
Armageddon. (*PO that connects with Kidron)
3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.
3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the
earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall
Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills
shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of
the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
3:19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the
children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
3:20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
3:21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.
We see a total restoration.
Summary
Disaster from Locust. He warns that this nation will have a true spiritual judgment by God. That
comes from spiritual Israel that is seen by their lives. He calls for a true DOA experience, true
repentance. If you have this in chapter 3 he introduces the vision of God. His hope. The restoration
of Israel. If you do that, then God will destroy the nations outside. He is punishing you now for you
to show true repentance. To give you lessons and if you do that, and learn the lessons, then He will
punish the world. Then this will be the true nation and God will dwell with us in Zion in the new
Jerusalem.
(*PO Thess and Phil? A sign of their unity is a reason for God to destroy. See if there is a connection)
Desolate Eden
Quotes from Ellen G. White:
Note: When you look at quotation on verse 1 from Ellen White, they are always in reference to
God's people giving a message warning the world, because probation is about to close. This
connects with the phrase 'day of the Lord' it commences with the close of probation. Quotes have
been selected to make this teaching clearer.
“Garden of Eden” represents Seventh-day Adventists and all of Christendom (other denominations),
and then the whole world.
Who gives the message? The latter rain falls to prepare God's people to go through the outpouring
of the seven last plagues. Who will live through the 7 last plagues? The 144,000. They are the only
ones who will not experience death. Joel 2:8 They are the only ones who will be translated after
going through and witnessing the 7 last plagues.
GC 649 None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their
experience an experience such as no other company have ever had.. These, having been translated
from the earth, from among the living, they have passed through the time of trouble such as
never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's
trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's
judgments. They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having
power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger,
and thirst. But "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on
them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead
them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation
7:14-17.
At the falling of the latter rain when the loud cry is given. This message will be given in our SDA
churches and most will resist. – LDE 209 – 210
LDE 209 There is to be in the [Seventh-day Adventist] churches a wonderful manifestation of the
power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord,
and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power
which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness
they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to
resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose
the work. "Why," they say, "should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so
many years?"--RH Extra, Dec. 23, 1890. {.3}"
Point: Those in the church will resist, but those who have backslidden will come in.
Point: The message will be given by children too, don't forget that.
Those who have backslidden will come back under –
6T 401 Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will,
under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be
taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils,
and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks
upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to
save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.
The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. Then will the message
of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord.
6T 401 Many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.
Those in fallen churches will come out – EW 277-278
"The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's
message as it swells to a loud cry. I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, "Come out of
her, My people, The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in
the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call
and left the fallen churches."
Joel 2:3 …nothing shall escape them…
The message will go to the whole world – LDE 208
GC 611, 612 The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third angel's message is to lighten the
whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here foretold. . . .
Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from
place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the
warning will be given.
Joel 2:7 …not break their ranks…
The Holy Spirit will be the One in control – Mar 218. "During the loud cry, The truth will be
proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language. As a people, we must prepare the way of the Lord,
under the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit."
The condition for them to receive the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was prayer and unity. With
prayer comes repentance and confession. People who have been in the work for years will not
recognize. And only if you receive the early rain will you be able to recognize the latter.
Mar 219 Because the Lord does not work according to their expectations and ideal, they will oppose
the work. "Why," they say, "should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so
many years?" Because they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties, of the messages of God,
but persistently said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing….There must
be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the
light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification
of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in
the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it."
Time frame of the loud cry: Given before the decree enforcing the national Sunday law or mark of
the beast (the counterfeit Sabbath).
EV 234 There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion.
None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth
commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the
loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the
line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in
transgression will receive the mark of the beast.
It will be given before a decided effort to pass a national Sunday law.
3SM 406 After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, at a time when every
conceivable power of evil is set in operation, when minds are confused by the many voices crying,
"Lo, here is Christ," "Lo, He is there," "This is truth," "I have a message from God," "He has sent me
with great light," and there is a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the
pillars of our faith--then a more decided effort is made to exalt the false sabbath, and to cast
contempt upon God Himself by supplanting the day He has blessed and sanctified. "
It will fall during Jacob's time of trouble on the 144,000
EW 86 This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing
the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw
a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfilment of that view is beginning to be
seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned does not refer to the time when
the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while
Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming
on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the
third angel. At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will
come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the
period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. "
The death decree comes during the seven last plagues to put to death the 144,000.
EW 36-37 I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead were
separate and distinct, one following the other, also that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of
trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when our
High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of
vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out. I saw that the four angels would hold
the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues.
These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought
the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would
then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night
for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of
spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed."
Note: Jacob’s time of trouble is not the same as the little time of trouble that was mentioned in EW
85, 86. The little time of trouble is the period when the nations become angry and try to prevent the
work of the third angel. Jacob’s time of trouble corresponds with the close of probation and the
falling of the 7 last plagues. The 144,000 will be crying out for deliverance because their brethren
(apostate Protestantism, Esau) will be trying to kill them. During the little time of trouble the latter
rain will fall on the 144,000 (only) to prepare them to go through the 7 last plagues.
EW 271 – There must be a shaking first before the loud cry comes. And those who give the loud cry
will receive the latter rain. Study
Joel 2:3 Connects with Revelation 18:1,2. "Another Angel" represents the giving of the Loud cry.
3SM 412, Another angel" is to come down from heaven. This angel represents the giving of the loud
cry, which is to come from those who are preparing to cry mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon
the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit,
and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Rev. 18:1, 2). "
In Maranatha page 219 She has a section entitled the Early Rain and Latter rain, which is based
upon Joel 2:23. Study! In Last Day Events Ch. 14 there is a section on the loud cry. She explains that
the church will resist it and the majority of non-believers. Study it.
For Revelation notes on chapter 18 and 14:8 – the fornication represents the union of church and
state, as well as causing men to accept a spurious Sabbath (Sunday). LDE 198 " ‘she made all nations
drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:6-8). How is this done? By forcing men to
accept a spurious sabbath.--8T 94 (1904). Not yet, however, can it be said that . . . ‘she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She has not yet made all nations do this. . .
. LDE 198.3 Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world
shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The
change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future.--GC 389,
390 (1911). When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made
void by legislation.--ST June 12, 1893. LDE 198.5"
While Satan is preparing minds to enforce the NSL the loud cry will be giving. This goes with my
sermon based upon Daniel 3 the counterfeit loud cry.
3 SM 406 This false sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. Satan and his angels are wide
awake and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities
to bring about his purpose of obliterating the knowledge of God. While Satan is working with his
lying wonders, the time has come [that was] foretold in the Revelation, when the mighty angel that
shall lighten the earth with his glory will proclaim the fall of Babylon and call upon God’s people to
forsake her. . . ."
Desolate Eden Quotations
1.) 3SM 338 "Never are we absent from the mind of God. God is our joy and our salvation. Each of
the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is
in force for us.
2.) LDE 209-210 " There is to be in the [Seventh-day Adventist] churches a wonderful manifestation
of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the
Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that
power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their
blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace
themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations
they will oppose the work. "Why," they say, ‘should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have
been in the work so many years?"--RH Extra, Dec. 23, 1890. LDE 209.3"
3.) Mar 219 " There must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only
those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily
advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the
manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us,
but we shall not discern or receive it."
Extra: EW 86 " At that time the "latter rain," or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will
come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in
the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. ""
Malachi
Introduction
Malachi = His name means “My Messenger” this is the last prophet of the OT. This book is talking
about the current spiritual condition of those people, but it also refers to the future glory and day of
the lord. The day of judgment.
Author and Title

Malachi means “My Messenger.” He is the last prophet of the Old Testament. His age and when he
called is not mentioned. The Hebrew name “Malachi” means “my messenger,” or perhaps
“messenger of (the Lord)” if “Malachi” is a shortened form of “Malachiah” (2 Esd. 1:40). Based on the
lxx and Targum Jonathan, some scholars have argued that “Malachi” in 1:1 ought to be understood
as a title, “my messenger,” rather than as a proper name. It appears more likely, however, that
“Malachi” is a proper name, as it is interpreted by many other ancient sources (2 Esd. 1:40, the Gk.
translations by Symmachus and Theodotion, the Syriac Peshitta translation, etc.). If so, the book of
Malachi follows the pattern of 14 other prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible (Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Ezekiel, and the other 11 Minor Prophets), where the author is introduced by name in the opening
verses using language similar to Malachi 1:1. Accordingly, 3:1 offers an important wordplay on the
prophet’s name: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” This
wordplay suggests that Malachi’s own ministry was intended to foreshadow that of the coming
messenger, who is identified in the NT as John the Baptist (see notes on 3:1 and 4:4–6).
Date
The book of Malachi offers no clear pointer to the date of its composition. Nevertheless, most
scholars agree that Malachi was probably a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah in the mid-fifth
century b.c. This is supported by the implied existence of the temple (Mal. 1:10; 3:1, 8), which
requires a date after its reconstruction c. 516 b.c. Further support is offered by the reference to a
“governor” (1:8), since this term is often used for regional officials during the Persian period (539–
332 b.c.). The most compelling evidence for dating Malachi, however, is the substantial parallel
between the sins reproved by Malachi and those reproved by Ezra and Nehemiah. These include
corruption of the priesthood (Neh. 13:4–9, 29–31; Mal. 1:6–2:9), marriage to idolaters (Ezra 9–10;
Neh. 10:30; 13:1–3, 23–27; Mal. 2:10–12), abuse of the disadvantaged (Neh. 5:1–13; Mal. 3:5), and
failure to pay tithes (Neh. 10:32–39; 13:10–13; Mal. 3:8–10).
Theme
Malachi is talking about situations and spiritual condition of his time, at the same time he is talking
about the glorious future day of the Lord. Malachi’s contemporaries may have been free from
blatant idolatry (though see 2:11) and relatively orthodox in their beliefs, but theirs had become a
dead orthodoxy. They were all too ready to make ethical compromises and to dilute the strenuous
demands of proper worship. In response to the cynicism and religious malaise of his
contemporaries, Malachi’s prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant fidelity (see Key
Themes).
Key Themes: Malachi’s Sixfold Wake-up Call to Renewed Covenant

Fidelity
Disputation Reference Summary Focus
Disputation 1:2–5 Malachi begins by defending the reality of God’s Israel is to
1 elective love for Israel, a love which calls for robust remember the
covenantal obedience and sincere worship as its Law of Moses.
proper response. Instead, the people were
dishonoring God by their worthless offerings and
the hypocritical formalism of their worship.
Disputation 1:6–2:9 Malachi exposes these offenses and rebukes the
2 priests for condoning them and thereby violating
the Lord’s covenant with Levi.
Disputation 2:10–16 Malachi condemns marriage to an idolater as
3 infidelity against Israel’s covenant with the Lord,
and he condemns unauthorized divorce as infidelity
against the marriage covenant between a husband
and his wife, to which the Lord is witness.
Disputation 2:17–3:5 Malachi broadens his indictment as he promises Israel is to
4 that the Lord will vindicate his justice. This will take remember the
place when ‘the messenger of the covenant” comes promise of Elijah
to judge the wicked (when the Lord will function as and the coming
a witness not only against adulterers, as in 2:10–16, day of the Lord.
but also against other offenders) and to purify his
people so that their offerings will be acceptable at
last.
Disputation 3:6–12 Malachi returns to the subject of Israel’s begrudging
5 offerings. The people experienced material
adversity and were under a curse—not in spite of
their behavior, but because of it. Accordingly,
Malachi challenges them to conscientious tithing,
which will be rewarded with divine blessing.
Disputation 3:13–4:3 Malachi assures his grumbling contemporaries that
6 evildoers, who seem to escape divine justice
because of their prosperity, will yet be judged, while
the Lord will deliver those who fear him.
Summary 4:4–6 Malachi summarizes the main points of his
prophecy: remember the Law of Moses (the focus of
disputations 1–3), and remember the promise of
Elijah and the coming day of the Lord (the focus of
disputations 4–6).

Why did he began to prophesy like this? Nehemiah was ordained by the Persian king to do a work.
He use to be the cupbearer of Artaxerxes. (the one who gave the degree) the cupbearer is the
secretary of security. This applies in eastern countries, but not in western. Kings were killed by
poison sometimes. So they had a trustworthy counselor to stand next to him. And when food is
brought to the king, the cupbearer is the one who tastes every dish. If nothing happens to him the
king eats. This was Nehemiah. You would not put someone suspicious in this position. Nehemiah
was a trust worthy person to the king. Nehemiah went back to restore the city. While he was
helping, the king called him back to Persia for a year. During this absence the church collapsed.
Without the presence of one person the church went down. Point: One person makes all the
difference. When we go out to work, our influence can make the difference. You must walk and talk
with integrity to have weight with the people. Have humor, but don’t be frivolous. Don’t be light,
have weight. Paul gives this counsel to Timothy. He worked from 444 B.C. 12 years as a governor.
He went to Babylon for one year and spiritual declension came to the church. He saw the Sabbath
problem. There was fish market outside of the northern gate. The Sidonians were selling fish and
some Jews came and bought. He made a reformation concerning the Sabbath. The treasury house of
the temple was refurbished and given to Tobiah an Ammorite which was forbidden by God.
Intermarriages: Levi’s married the Smaritans and Syrians. During this time Malachi started his
prophecies.
Nehemiah was the cupbearer of Artaxerxes. Cupbearer at that time is equivalent to the secretary of
security. In western mind, cupbearer seems not that important job. But for eastern countries, king
was always threatened with assassination. Many people would try to put poison and kill the king.
So king always had his trust-worthy counselor tasting all of his food to see whether it had poison or
not. Would you put someone who that you cannot trust fully? That was Nehemiah.
Nehemiah was ordered by Artaxerxes to rebuild the wall from BC 434 to 422. Later king need him
and called Nehemiah back to his kingdom. During that absent of Nehemiah for little more one year,
Israelites started to corrupt again. Absent of this one person, for little over one year, caused
Israelites to corrupt.
Young people, one person makes all the difference. When you go out there and work for God, you
one person’s presence, you one person’s influence can make all the difference in the place. Your
walking, your tone of voice, your attitude.
When Nehemiah came back he so all these corruptions. In the Northern gate, Sidonians and
Tyanians were selling fishes even after the Friday sunset, because there were some Jewish people
coming out and buying fishes even during the Sabbath hour. Leadership gave this treasury chamber
for the tithes and offerings to Tobiahs, the Amorites. Then there was intermarriages between
Samaritans and Jewish people. This is the time when Malachi was called to give straight testimony.
Malachi’s ministry took place nearly a hundred years after the decree of Cyrus in 538 b.c., which
ended the Babylonian captivity and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the
temple (2 Chron. 36:23). This was some 80 years after Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the
rebuilding of that temple with promises of God’s blessing, the engrafting of the nations, prosperity,
expansion, peace, and the return of God’s own glorious presence (cf. Haggai 2; Zech. 1:16–17; 2:1–
13; 8:1–9:17). To Malachi’s disillusioned contemporaries, these predictions must have seemed a
cruel mockery. In contrast to the glowing promises, the harsh reality was one of economic
privation, prolonged drought, crop failure, and pestilence (Mal. 3:10ff.).
After the return from exile, Judah remained an almost insignificant territory of about 20 by 30 miles
(32 by 48 km), inhabited by a population of perhaps 150,000. Although they enjoyed the benefits of
Persia’s enlightened policy of religious toleration and limited self-rule, the Jews acutely felt their
subjugation to a foreign power (Neh. 1:3; 9:36ff.), and they suffered persistent opposition from
their neighbors (Ezra 4:23; Dan. 9:25). Judah was no longer an independent nation and was no
longer ruled by a Davidic king.
Worst of all, in spite of the promises of the coming Messiah and God’s own glorious presence (e.g.,
Zech. 1:16ff.; 2:4, 10–13; 8:3–17, 23; 9:9–13), Israel experienced only spiritual destitution. Unlike
Bible books from earlier periods, the postexilic books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are remarkably
candid in their description of Judah as generally lacking miraculous evidences of God’s presence. In
contrast to both Solomon’s temple and the prophetic promise of the restored temple (Ezekiel 40–
43), the actual postexilic temple was physically and spiritually inferior. As Malachi 3:1 implies, the
Most Holy Place in this second temple had no visible manifestation of the glory of God. Though God
was certainly alive and well (as revealed, e.g., by his remarkable providences in the book of Esther),
it was a period in which God’s people had to live more by faith than by sight.
The Setting of Malachi
c. 460 b.c. Malachi likely prophesied several decades after the
first exiles of Judah, now under Persian rule, had returned from
Babylon to the minor province of Judea and rebuilt the temple.
Edomites had migrated northwest from their traditional
homeland just south of Moab into the area immediately south
of Judea, and this land was now called Idumea. Territory that
once belonged to the northern kingdom of Israel had been
divided into several different minor provinces, including
Samaria.

Even though God has disciplined his people severely by means of the exile, he still intends for his
name to be honored among the Gentiles (1:11, 14). God’s chosen vehicle for bringing his name to
the Gentiles is his people loving him faithfully. This is therefore the time for Israel to renew its
commitment to the covenant.
Outline
The book of Malachi is carefully structured in terms of a heading (1:1), followed by six pericopes or
disputations (1:2–5; 1:6–2:9; 2:10–16; 2:17–3:5; 3:6–12; 3:13–4:3) and a conclusion (4:4–6). Each
disputation is relatively coherent and is introduced by an assertion from either the Lord or the
prophet. This is followed by an anticipated challenge from those being addressed, which is
invariably introduced by the expression, “But you say” (1:2, 6, 7, 13; 2:14, 17; 3:7, 8, 13). Each
challenge, in turn, is answered with fuller substantiation by the Lord or by the prophet speaking on
the Lord’s behalf.
The book also has an unobtrusive concentric (chiasmic) structure. One conspicuous literary
indicator of this pattern is the double introductory assertion (“But you say”) and the anticipated
response, which are found only in the parallel second (1:6–2:9) and fifth (3:6–12) disputations (the
“B” sections below).
1. Heading (1:1)
2. A. First disputation: Does God make a distinction between the good and the arrogantly
wicked? God’s elective love vindicated in his judgment (1:2–5)
a. B. Second disputation: Israel’s begrudging offerings condemned (1:6–2:9)
i. C. Third disputation: Marriage to an idolater—and divorce based on
aversion—condemned by the Lord, who is witness to the covenant of
marriage (2:10–16)
ii. C′. Fourth disputation: The Lord is a witness against adultery and other
moral offenses (2:17–3:5)
b. B′. Fifth disputation: Israel’s begrudging offerings condemned (3:6–12)
3. A′. Sixth disputation: Does God make a distinction between the good and the arrogantly
wicked? God’s elective love vindicated in his judgment (3:13–4:3)
a. Conclusion (4:4–6)
Chapter 1 – Polluted Offerings
VERSE [1] The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. [2] I have loved you, saith the
LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I
loved Jacob, [3] And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of
the wilderness. [4] Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the
desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall
call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for
ever. [5] And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of
Israel. [6] A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine
honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that
despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? [7] Ye offer polluted bread
upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is
contemptible. [8] And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and
sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person?
saith the LORD of hosts. [9] And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this
hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. [10] Who is there
even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for
nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your
hand. [11] For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be
great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure
offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
Age not revealed
1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's
brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
We are talking about the Laodicean message. They are blind and don’t understand their spiritual
condition.
1:3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
1:4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus
saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of
wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
1:5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
God is saying when did Edom (the descendents of Esau) ever say our temple is destroyed but we
will return and build? No. At this time Edom was a wilderness. It was desolate. This was the
fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
The cities of the Edomites became desolate. God is saying did I give them the promise to return to
their city and rebuild it? No. I gave you the promise. But you say I don’t love you?
1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and
if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And
ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
You don’t respect me as your master and father, I am God and you despise me in your services and
worships. And they are saying how?
1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say,
The table of the LORD is contemptible.
“polluted bread” – Do they offer bread and wine in the sanctuary service? Yes. Drink offering. On
the day of Pentecost the bread was to be leavened representing being filled with the Holy Ghost.
Leaven symbolizes sin and the Holy Spirit. It’s drinking offering. After they put the peace offering,
they spill the wine over it, symbolizing the blood of Christ. Then they put bread upon it. After they
offered the peace offering, they poured wine over it, symbolizing the blood of Christ that would
spill. Then they put bread over it. A Epah of flour. On Pentecost they offered two pieces of bread
made by the first fruits gathered from the wave offering. When they brought the first fruits to the
sanctuary, they left them and grinded them up later and made two loaves of bread and they offered
it to the priests and sanctuary as a Pentecost offering. In the Pentecost, they offered two piece of
bread made by the first fruits. When they brought the lamb and goats, they had to inspect it first to
find the perfect, spotless ones. But they were so corrupt that they chos the worst one to offer.
And yet they say, “When did we pollute your altar Lord?” What a condition of Laodicea! Malachi was
the last prophet for the OT, we are the last church of the earth history. You look at young people
today in the church, they just throw some dollar bills to the basket, as if they are giving some coins
to the despised ones. No spirit, no reverence attitude at all. They have no respect in the services.
They have no respect for elderly person. They still ask the Lord, “When did we pollute your altar
Lord?” Then God says, “I have no pleasure in you, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”
1:8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer
it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
When they have to bring the lambs and goats they were to inspect them first to see if they have any
blemishes. Broken bones, etc. it had to be without blemish. But they became so corrupt that they
chose the worse ones. The lame, broken legs, etc. Note: we offer this kind of sacrifices now. Then
they said when did we do that? This is the condition of the Laodecian church. Malachi is the last
prophet of the old testament. Laodecia is the last church of the Christian history.
Par: When you offer your offering you should have the best attitude. Use the crisp bills not the
worse one. That is a polluted offering. God is saying your heart should be in it. he established this
offering system to have your heart. You are really given your heart to God. When having the office of
a deacon do it with respect. This is what Malachi is talking about. When you take off offering what is
your attitude?
1:9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will
he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.
1:10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on
mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering
at your hand.
1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among
the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name
shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
1:12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even
his meat, is contemptible.
1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and
ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept
this of your hand? saith the LORD.
1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord
a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the
heathen.
If Malachi said this then, the people got mad. Even the gentiles are better than you are. God is going
to accept the gentiles instead of you. If you preach this to the SDA’s. “Even the Gentiles are better
than you are! I accept their worship more than yours!” And they got angry. If you preach this to SDA
today, they will be furious! But that’s what Malachi said. They will get mad. God will accept catholics
instead of you. They are bringing offerings, but they are being condemned because it is not a whole
hearted offering.
Chapter 2 – Covenant of Levi
Covenant of Levi: This was the sole purpose of Levi.
 Teach the law of God
 You have to have holy life.
 Convert the soul.
There are many ministers today who are rather being stumbling block to other souls than to save
their souls, because their heart is not right with God. Their teachings are not according to the law of
God. Ministers are suppose to teach people the law and doctrines of God with their holy life, but
they commit sin themselves, and be a stumbling block to other people. If one pastor in the local
church is really converted, whole church will be converted. When the pastor is not converted,
church is not going to experience the true conversion.
Applications
 “The Covenant of Levi” (8)
VERSE [1] And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. [2] If ye will not hear, and if ye will
not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon
you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to
heart. [3] Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your
solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. [4] And ye shall know that I have sent this
commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. [5] My
covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared
me, and was afraid before my name. [6] The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not
found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. [7]
For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the
messenger of the LORD of hosts. [8] But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to
stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
2:1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
He is talking about the priest. The covenant of Levites. What is it?
2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of
hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already,
because ye do not lay it to heart.
2:3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn
feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
I will put crap (dung) on your faces, feasts, and offerings! Imagine coming before God during the
investigative judgment, we are keeping the day of atonement, we love you, and Malachi says I will
bring dung and sprinkle it on your face. Sermon this will get you kicked out of the church. You will
not give the straight testimony if you don’t know it is coming from God. (S/H: As you read it you
must bring out the context based upon what happened in their time. Think about what you are
reading. Read it over and over until it cries out something to your mind. Then you receive the
message from the Lord, and preach that message. The scriptures spoke to you. This will convert the
people. app: Read and ask yourself what would this be? Dung on your face?)
2:4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi,
This is speaking about the covenant of Levi. Which means?
2:5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared
me, and was afraid before my name.
2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace
and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
The covenant was that you are to teach people about the Law of God, you must have a holy life
according to the law of God, and then convert souls. This is the covenant of Levi. This is the sole
purpose of their lives.
2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the
messenger of the LORD of hosts.
They don’t only offer offerings, but they must instruct people about the Law of God. This is their
covenant. The covenant of Levi.
2:8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted
the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Levi’s are the ones who are making people stumble.
Par: There are many ministers in our church who are making people stumble instead of save their
souls. Their hearts and lives are not right with God. Their teachings are not according to the law of
God. (This is the Laodeican message. You can have many sermons from this.) (S/H: Take what
happened in their time and apply it today. What does it say? There are many priests that are
suppose to teach the Law of God, but they are committing habitual sins in their lives and they would
rather cause people to stumble than save their lives.)
Sermon: The Covenant of Levi
2:9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have
not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man
against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
2:11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for
Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a
strange god.
2:12 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of
Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
2:13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with
crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your
hand.
2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth,
against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might
seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of
his youth.
2:16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his
garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say,
Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God
of judgment?
When they commit sins, they don’t see immediate judgment from the Lord, so they become so bold.
Then the next chapter is talking about the soon coming judgment of God. When they do this there is
no judgment from God, so they became bold in their sins.
Chapter 3 – Investigative Judgment
Chapter 3 is talking about God coming soon to judge the temple, priests, and the people of God. EGW
says this chapter explains this chapter as the investigative judgment. Great Controversy 424-425.
Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 25; Mala 3:1-5 are all speaking the same thing. She is referring to the
investigative judgment. Daniel 7 is speaking of Jesus going into the MHP from the HP. She applies
this to the same experience. Matthew 25 the virgins were knocking. She applies it to our own day.
Applications
 “Stewardship"(8)
Chapter Outline
VERSE [1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the
LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant,
whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. [2] But who may abide the day
of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers”
soap: [3] And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and
purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. [4]
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and
as in former years.
3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye
seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold,
he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
“Shall suddenly come to his temple” – God is suddenly coming to judge, to investigate. God is
suddenly coming for what? To judge and investigate. Matthew 22 the king comes to investigate the
robes.
3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a
refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
“A refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” – two purposes of Investigative Judgment: 1) to judge; 2)
to cleanse. So our lives are being investigated. We are not only being judged. But he is exposing sins,
problems, and mistakes in our own lives. He does this through the Holy Spirit. Our lives are being
open to us. He exposes our faults and He is asking us to give it up so we can be cleansed.
3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them
as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
“He shall purify the sons of Levi” – God is going to cleanse the leadership first. Because it was the
leadership that polluted the church. It was leaders’ fault that they crucified Christ. He is going to
cleanse the church, but first he is going to cleans the leadership. The priests, pastors, and ministers.
Them first and then the people. Without cleansing them He cannot cleanse the church.
“Purge them as silver and gold” – Why is Malachi using gold and silver as an illustration to purify
God’s temple and His people? Why does gold and silver need to be purified? To get the impurities
out. You must melt it to take the dross away. You must turn up the heat. He is talking about
character perfection here. Even though the silver and gold is there, it was mingled with all the dross
and dirt of the earth, in order to take out from it, they had to melt it. It’s talking about the character
perfection here. The investigative judgment has two purposes: For judging God’s people. To reveal
and expose the flaws of our character so we can correct it by His grace. The investigative judgment
is implied here as refining gold and silver. You must apply heat to get the impurities out. Applying
heat in our lives is giving us trials. God gives us trials because He sees us as gold or silver. God
values us. The investigative judgment has two side of coin: 1) judging God’s people, 2) revealing our
sins and faults to correct them. In order to take dross out, we need to go through the heat and fire;
trials and afflictions. When you have trials, think that God sees you as silver and gold. Otherwise He
is not going to allow trials in your life. God values you, God values your character.
“An offering in righteousness” – He is referring to the priests and leadership of that time. But in
our time it applies to the final generation. They will receive the latter rain and go and give the loud
cry and call them out of Babylon. And the gentiles that respond are equivalent to bringing an
offering to the Lord in righteousness.
This message was for the priests. We, as the Last Generation, are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation. 2Peter 2:9. When we receive the HS, and give loud cry to come out of
Babylon, we will be offering the Gentiles in righteousness. We find this concept in Romans:
Rom 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of
God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
He is not just talking about bringing them in the church and putting their names of the role. But
they need to be sanctified by the Holy Ghost. We must teach the doctrines and help them to be
converted. That is why we are a priesthood. We are ministers to the gentiles in Babylon. We are to
bring them as an offering.
A priest has a mitre. On the golden plate of the mitre it says “holiness unto the Lord” the 144,000
have the name of the Lamb and the father on their forehead. Why? Because they are God’s priests to
bring an offering of the gentiles to the Lord sanctified and righteous. Malachi is saying unless the
sons of Levi are purified how can they bring an acceptable offering to God? We baptize many, but in
a year 60% go out the church and 70% of the young people go out.
Paul is not talking about just brining them to the church. He is talking about bringing them by
sanctify them by the HS. Your work is not just to teach the doctrine and bring them into the church,
but to convert them and teach them to have sanctification experience. Priest had miter with
“holiness unto the LORD” written on it. 144,000 had names of the Father written on their forehead
because they are God’s priest to bring the Gentiles to be an acceptable offering to the Lord.
Paul says as a minister of the gospel I offer the gentiles to the Lord. When we become true priests,
Levites, when we are cleansed we can bring offerings, which are the people to the Lord as an
offering of righteousness (*PO also connects with Daniel 12, turn many to righteousness). The
144,000 go out give the loud cry and bring a multitude of people as an offering to the Lord. (*PO this
is all in the sermon of the Covenant of Levi)
Malachi is saying, “If the priest is not converted, how in the world will they bring Gentiles to be an
righteous offering to the LORD? He can’t!” That’s the problem in our church today. We baptize them
and bring all those people in, within one year, more than 60% go out to their back doors. If we are
not sanctified, we can’t bring the righteous offering.
3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and
as in former years.
You are bringing polluted offerings. You are despising God. But you leaders are the ones who are
doing it. He is accusing the leadership of defiling God’s temple, offerings, and system. DA it was the
leaders who led the people to crucify Christ.
3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and
against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his
wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me,
3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.
Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we
return?
Now we see the heart of God like a tender father. After God having said all these things, we can still
feel the heart of God like the Father of prodigal son. Then He says this. He is appealing to them after
the hard message.
3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and
offerings.
3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Sermon: ‘stewardship" & the issue of tithe money and who it should go to.
“Storehouse” – God’s church. God’s church is not a building, but faithful people. This is the only
place that God told us to prove it.
UL 315 It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various
denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). Where Christ is even
among the humble few, this is Christ’s church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who
inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.
Is that mean that if you declare to have home church with your family, and since your house
becomes the church, you can use the tithe for your home? Where is the drawing line for the
storehouse of God? Malachi is talking about the priest here in this chapter. He is talking about the
organized work. So in order to sustain the work, Malachi is telling them to bring the tithes and
offerings for furtherance for the word of God. So as far as the context of Malachi is concerned It’s
talking about the organized work. So this storehouse meant the approved, objective, organized,
systematic work that people can recognize in furtherance of gospel and saving souls. Then is it only
for the regular channel or can it be also for the irregular channel? The Bible is silent on the issue of
regular or irregular channel. However, sister White mentions about irregular channel.
Search for article about the tithe and offering.
When conference rejected the message of 1844, she told two young preachers to go their own and
hold camp meeting separately and ask tithe.
SOP Ministers, Bible workers, Pastor’s wives, and medical missionaries should receive tithe. Ellen
White sent a letter to Roson the Colorado conference president about a wife not receiving tithe. If
doctors, nurses, medical missionaries, etc. Full time gospel employee’s can be supported by the
tithe.
Ev 492 The tithe should go to those who labor in word and doctrine, be they men or women” ().
WM 277 The tithe . . . is to be especially devoted to the support of those who are bearing God's
message to the world.
(Objection: self-supporting should not receive it.) According to this verse the context is based upon
chapter 2 and 3. It refers to the Levites and priests. He is talking about the organized work. He is
talking about bringing tithe money to sustain the organized work to further the gospel in the
temple. The context is speaking about the organized temple work. It is something that the people
can see. It is tangible and recognizable. God is saying that tithe money should go into the
storehouse. And this storehouse is for an approved, organized, systematic work that people can
recognize. And they can see that this organization is doing the work of winning souls. This is talking
about the regular channel more so than the irregular channel. In order to get more detail you must
go to the SOP.
A few ladies came and asked Sister White about giving their tithe money to her because they didn’t
want to give it to the conference. She wanted her to give it to a conference that would use it
properly. When one lady told that she couldn’t send tithe to conference since they are not using the
money for God’s cause wisely, she got that money and put her own money with it and sent it to a
neglected missionary. She took the money, wrote a receipt, and put her tithe with it. And she sent it
to the independent ministers who were working in the South. The ministers who were working
with the black race and the work in the south were not being supported by the GC and EW was very
opposed to that. This happened on two occasions.This is the only place where He said test me.
Prove me according to the faithfulness of your tithe giving. We use this text to help people to tithe.
One: During the 1888 conference when they opposed her and Waggoner and Jones. They had
separate camp meeting on their own. She was very independent when it came to supporting truth
against error.
Two: Tithe issue, she was very independent with this too.
She didn’t support Battle Creek anymore. She said they were not following God’s plan. Egw asked
Mercy Megan and Sutherland and asked them to go south find land and start a school, and they did
it. She wrote strong letters to the Conference president, president of the union conference. Then she
told Percy Megan and Sutherland to go to the people directly and ask for tithe and offering and open
the school. And they did this. At the same time the conference wrote letters to the people and said
we are the storehouse don’t support them.
Conclusion: Tithe should go to the storehouse. It is the organized and systematic work that is
regular and irregular. Self-supporting and denominational work. It should go to both, but don’t pay
it to an unorganized independent work. This is for those who are working full time to spread the
gospel.
3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much
against thee?
3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that
we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt
God are even delivered.
3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it,
and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought
upon his name.
3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will
spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth
God and him that serveth him not.
Chapter 4 – Preparation for the Judgment
Applications
 “The Last Generation” (5)
4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it
shall leave them neither root nor branch.
This day is the day of the Lord. This text can be used to explain Hell’s fire and the non immortality
of the soul. God is going to destroy the wicked once and for all.
“root nor branch” – Both soul and body will be no more.
4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye
shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
What other text comes to mind? We will have a healing experience during the day of the Lord.
Revelation 22:2 speaks of this. What is going to be healing for us? The leaves that are on the tree of
life.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life,
which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing of the nations.
When we get to heaven, what kind of healing will be left? When we are resurrected, we will be
resurrected in our own height of our life. When we get to heaven, we are not only going to eat the
fruits, but also the leaves, and will grow unto the height of first man, Adam. What kind of healing
will be left to do? We have to grow in our full physical statue.
GC at the time of resurrection everyone will be resurrected with the same height they had when
they went into the grave. We will eat the fruit and the leaves. And we will grow to the height of
Adam
SG V.1 She saw the height of Adam and she said he was more than twice the height of man today.
Adam was taller than 12 ft. (I heard 17 ft study). Science research shows the weight is between
2,000 to 2,500 lbs. That corresponds with the height.
4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day
that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Destruction of wicked after Millennium. At this time the day of the Lord includes the first and
second resurrection, through the millennium.
4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with
the statutes and judgments.
4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the
LORD:
It’s not talking about the literal person Elijah, but someone who is going to appear in spirit and
power of Elijah: WE are not talking about Elijah literally. We are talking about someone who will
come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
Luke by Inspiration applied this text to John the Baptist:
Lk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to
the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the
Lord.
Sermon: ‘the Last Generation" Explaining this concept of 1798 to end of time being one generation
that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24 and the “day of the Lord.”
Sister White by inspiration applies the same text to us: This expression is talking about preparing
God’s people for the first and second advent of Jesus Christ. Second it applies to us in the last days.
Same work has to be done in the preparing God’s people also for the second coming of the Lord. So
it applies to our last generation. Therefore, we can safely conclude that when Malachi said “day of
the LORD,” he was referring to both the first and second coming of Christ.
Matt 24:32-34 [32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth
forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: [33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things,
know that it is near, even at the doors. [34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till
all these things be fulfilled.
What generation was Jesus talking about? After the tribulation (1260 days), it will happen. After
Jesus described all of the events, towards the end of the world He says this. What generation is
Jesus talking about? The generation after 1755 or 1798. After the tribulation shows that it was after
1798. This is the time of the end. How can you prove it?
Matt 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon
shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be
shaken:
The generation not necessarily mean just the life span of one person. After the tribulation; after
1260 years of persecution. After this you will see the sign. (I don’t agree. It is referring to the law
that was passed to stop persecution that happened in 1776 then four years later the Sun became
dark.) Chapter 1 makes it clearer
Matt 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
It says the generation of Jesus Christ.
Matt 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David
until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into
Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
“Generation” can be understood beyond, and apply to a group of people who have the same
spiritual understanding and criteria. From Abraham to David are one generation. They had their
different spiritual experience. From David until the captivity is one generation. They had their
different spiritual experience. From captivity to Christ are one generation. A little different. It was
more corrupt From captivity to Jesus Christ is one generation. This time frame was even more
corrupt. It is not just a lifespan in which you live.
So when Christ said that this generation shall not pass it indicated the generations after 1798 – the
end of time. SDA church arose after 1798, and now we are less and less preaching about the second
coming of Christ. This generation is collapsing. But He will come before this generation pass.
Matthew is saying that a generation is not only the generation that you are living in currently. But it
goes beyond this. It means that if you have the same understanding and spiritual criteria. As long as
you have this and are waiting for the accomplishment of this understanding to take place, all these
generations can be called one generation.
So in Matthew 24 when it says this generation shall not pass it is referring to the time of the end
after 1798. The SDA’s arose from the understanding of the prophecies. So until the understanding
that we have of Bible prophecy meets its final consummation. This is one generation. Jesus was
saying that after 1798 I will raise up a group of people. The SDA’s. Until they preach the 3 angels
messages and the coming of Christ and the signs in the heavens. This generation will not pass until I
come back. From 1798 until the end of time the SDA church will not cease. While they exist to give
the last message, I will come; there is no more churches after them.
The day of the Lord in Matt 24 can be the church after 1798 until Jesus comes. In Malachi when it
says the “day of the Lord.” He meant from 598 B.C. to the First coming of Jesus Christ.
QUESTION: What happened in 598 B.C.? It was the first time that Jerusalem was besieged. This is
the beginning date for the starting point of their captivity. This happened under Jehoiachin.
This is the primary understanding or contextual meaning of what Malachi means in Chapter 4:5 (
605 B.C. Battle of Cargemish. This is when Babylon defeated the Egyptian army. On the way back he
had a confrontation with Jerusalem, but this was not the first siege.
Outline of Ezekiel. It has two parts: before the destruction of Jerusalem, and after the destruction of
Jerusalem.
4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their
fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

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LATTER OLD

The things in Jeremiah are more for us then in that time.

Middle Testament History Review

586 B.C. – Jerusalem was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar

Location Map for Ezekiel

Let’s discuss the Northern and Southern Kingdom division.

"Israel" – referring to the Northern Kingdom

Outline of the 5 kings of Judah

Josiah (640-609 BC)

There was idolatry prevalent throughout the land

Idolatry was being purged from the kingdom prior to this.

Jehoahaz / Shallum (609 BC)

Eliakim / Jehoiakim (609-598BC)

In his 4th year of reign, Nebuchadnezzar came (606BC) #1 - Attack

Jehoiachin was in captivity for 37 years.

Zedekiah / Mattaniah (597-587BC)

Destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.

Decree by Cyrus to return 536 B.C.

Quote: She is referring to the prophecies of Zephaniah.

The kingdom prophecies

Law of the significance of Bible names

See Certa of 3rd Angels 49,

1919 Bible Handbook p285-292

3SM 338 Each of the prophets spoke more for us…

The Purpose of Prophecy

Example: The Civil War

Example: Little Horn

Author and Title

Jeremiah – Jeremiah. It means, “Yahweh establishes.” His nickname is “Weeping Prophet” or

Baruch – Secretary of Jeremiah. The son of

Israel and Judah at the Time of Jeremiah

Structure of Book (by theme)

Purpose, Occasion, and Background

Names of the Kings in the book of Jeremiah

Jehoahaz – first son of Josiah. 3 months of reign. Captured by Pharaonecho.

So Josiah’s son were really: Johoahaz, Eliakim, and Mattaniah

MS 65, 1912 Jeremiah 36 is going to be repeated in final days in this church.

2. False Jeremiah 23:6

9. What was Jeremiah’s message to King Zedekiah? To submit to Nebuchadnezzar.

First Siege of Jerusalem

2 Empires of the Bible A.T. Jones Ch. 27 "Captivity of Judah"

The New Covenant

History of Salvation Summary

Key text in Jeremiah

God has thoughts of peace towards us.

Search with all your heart.

Jer 29:10, 14 [10]…return to this place…[14] turn your captivity…gather you…

When God repeats something, it is very important, pay attention. He is emphasizing.

Prophecy regarding death of infants in Bethlehem.

Everyone dies for their own sin.

Jer 33:7 …cause the captivity of Judah and..Israel to return…

1:5 I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations

Jer 9:20 Yet hear the word of the LORD,

Time frame (1-3)

13th year of King Josiah (628BC), 40 years of ministry.

Chose to speak the words of the Lord (4-10)

Prophets are to speak

“Child” – youth is around 16 years old. Purpose of a prophet is to speak.

This is speaking about Jeremiah being about the age of 15-16

“speak” – ordained mouthpiece for God

First vision of Jeremiah: Judgment (11-16)

Key text showing role of a prophet.

The Lord is with him to help him speak (17-19)

Jer 2:6 Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD…