The Journey

Part 2

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

EZRA

The book of Ezra covers the period after the exile in Babylon.  It starts by listing the names and numbers of the families that returned.  The temple was then rebuilt, and later many more families also returned when Ezra came to Jerusalem to restore order.

Ezra - He was a descendent of Aaron and was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses.  Artaxerxes king of Persia, which is now modern day Iran, granted him all his requests according to what God required of him concerning the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.

The Rebuilding of the Temple - The first temple that Solomon had built was destroyed by the Babylonians, but would now be rebuilt again.  This second temple, which years later fell into disrepair, was restore by Herod, only to be destroyed again by the Romans.  The prophesy of Ezekiel tells of a third and final temple being built, in which the plans and preparations are already being made in Israel at this present time.      

NEHEMIAH

The book of Nehemiah centers on rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem.  Nehemiah came to Jerusalem for this purpose and directed the work to get the job done.  This was quit a task because of the hard labor involved, and the enemies that were still in the land.

Nehemiah - As a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, he was an important officer of the court.  The gates and walls of Jerusalem were still in disrepair, even though the Jewish people had been in the land for many years.  Through his perseverance and faith in God, he had them all rebuilt.  This brought protection from the enemies and a sense of normalcy to life in Jerusalem.

Rebuilding the Walls - Through faith, perseverance and encouragement of the people, Nehemiah had all of the walls and gates rebuilt within  fifty-two days.

ESTHER

The book of Esther is about an incident that involves the people who did not return to Jerusalem.  The majority of the Jews in Babylon and Persia did not return to their homeland because of the good life they had there.  This book recounts the events of how a Jewish girl saved  her people from extinction due to a plot to destroy them all.

Esther - She was an orphaned Jewish girl raised by a man named Mordecai, that had not returned to Jerusalem.  Through the will of God, she eventually became Queen to the king of Persia and saved her people from extinction through out the land.    

The Plot of Haman - Mordecai would not bow down before Haman, who was one of the king’s appointed high officials, because of his faith to God.  He was so angered that he made a plot to destroy all of his people.  But when the truth was known through the vigilance of Esther, it was he who was destroyed instead of the Jewish people.   

JOB

The book of Job is about a true man of God, who was also very wealthy.  Though, one day his family, wealth and personal health was taken away.   His friends come to comfort him, but since Job was very discouraged, they all begin to argue about why God let this happen.  In the end, God makes an awesome appearance before Job to question him.

Job - He was a man who was blameless and upright, and feared God.  Even when everything was taken from him to test his faith, he still did not forsake God.  But being in despair, he became over righteous.   But in the end, he realized he was overly righteous after witnessing the majesty of God.  Afterwards, God restored him with another family, and more fortunes than in the beginning.    

God Speaks to Job - This is one of the most awesome passages, of when God speaks to man.  Instead of answering Job’s questions of why this happened to him, God asks him a series of questions, of which Job is speechless.  One incredible moment is when God describes a certain type of animal He made, which we now know as dinosaurs.  This shows that they existed at this time with man, not millions of years before.  One was behemoth, which is the exact description of a sauropod, formerly known as a brontosaurus.  The other was leviathan, which describes a sea creature resembling a plesiosaur, which also had sparks of fire go out of it’s mouth.  This gives credence to the myths of fire breathing dragons many years later.  The sightings of animals resembling dinosaurs continues till this day in very remote parts of the earth.          

  

PSALMS

The book of Psalms is arranged into five books.  The Psalms, which means “praises“, were used as the hymn book and prayer book for worship in the rebuilt temple.  They are filled with a wealth of intellectual teachings with guide lines for healthy living and sound psychology, along with many prophecies.  These are teachings of God for both mind and body.

Book One - Wrote mainly by David, they express the unchanging nature of God.

Book Two - Includes psalms of David and of the Sons of Korah, who where appointed to the music ministry.

Book Three - These were by the sons of Korah and Asaph, director of the orchestra and choirs of both David and Solomon

Book Four - Two  were wrote by David, with the rest being anonymous.  They center on the work of God for the people.

Book Five - Includes several by David, one by Solomon and the rest anonymous, which centers on praise, thanksgiving and ascent.

    

PROVERBS

The book of Proverbs is about elementary truth given by God, which teaches practical wisdom on genuine living.  Even though each proverb is short, they have a very deep meaning.  They truly set examples of right and wrong living.  This book shows us how God wants us to live.

The Beginning of Wisdom - At the beginning of this book is probably one of the most important things a person can learn in life, which is, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.  Following God is the only way to true knowledge.  

Wisdom Personified - Through out the book, wisdom is personified as feminine.  This reflects the workings of the Holy Spirit.  The word “spirit “ is actually feminine in its root meaning.       

 

ECCLESIASTES

The book of Ecclesiastes is truly a book for today.  It was written by Solomon, who had everything the world has to offer, but yet he was not truly happy.  The message is, that material things do not fulfill us.  They might be great for a while, but the excitement soon wears off.  The only way life can be enjoyed and have meaning is through God.

The Vanity of Life - Without God in our life, there is no real purpose.  Since we were created to be with Him, we can only have meaning through Him.  Every material thing is used for a purpose, but these can never be a substitute for the One that truly cares for you and can give you anything you need.  In the end, all the things we loved so much mean nothing compared to God and the love He has for His people.  Solomon experienced this by being the richest man that there ever was on earth.

Teachings of True Life - The way to true life, is to be content with the things God gives you, because ultimately everything came from God in the first place.  It is the great gift of immortal life and being with God that is better than anything that has been made by man.  In the end, Solomon finally realized what really mattered.  

  

SONG OF SOLOMON

The Song of Solomon was wrote by King Solomon about the love between him and a Shulamite woman.  It is filled with romance, the despair of separation and  poetic references to physical love making.  The deeper meaning of the song though, is to show the spiritual relationship between the Savior and the people that believe in Him, due to the hidden references to Jesus.  This relationship is the same as the physical relationship between a husband and wife, where as the bridegroom is Jesus, and the bride is His followers.

The Beginning of Love - In the beginning, an intense relation of love is building.  There is a constant show of the affection that is shared between the two.

The Separation - When there was a time of separation, anxiety arose from not being with the person who was the one true love.  This brought on the emotions of emptiness from not being together.  

The Consummation - In the end, both were reunited with great joy, and satisfaction had returned.  This shows the ultimate purpose of a true relationship.     

   

ISAIAH

The book of Isaiah is the first book of sixteen prophets, with Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel being the four major prophets due to the importance of their message.  The others are considered the minor prophets because of the shortness of the books.  The prophecies contained in this book are incredible.  The book deals primarily with the northern kingdom of Israel, along with the books of Hosea, Micah and Amos which lived at the same time as Isaiah.  Many of the prophecies are concerning our present time.

Isaiah -  The message of Isaiah was for a society in turmoil.  He preached the coming demise of the southern Kingdom of Judah, which had already happened to the northern kingdom, when they were taken captive from their land.  They were saved by listening to the message of God, but later turned their back and were also taken from their land.  His book shows the effects of turning from God, but also shows the great riches of returning.  The main theme of the book focuses on the return of the King and the new kingdom.  

The Coming Savior - All through the book, the return of Jesus, the King, is prevalent.  The world will decline to an unprecedented low in our present time, but all who accept the King will be saved.  Judgment and redemption are the major themes of this book.       

The Day of the Lord - The announcement of the Day of the Lord is mentioned throughout the whole book, which has not happened yet and is set to take place within our own time.  We can know this because of the specific descriptions of what the world would be like in the end times.  This offers more in-depth descriptions of the times described in the Book of Revelations.   

Judgments of the Nations -  This section describes what the decedents of all of the wicked nations of the earth would experience in our present time.  

The Future Kingdom - There are many references to the new utopia that will exist when God sets up His new kingdom on earth.

Foolishness of Idolatry - This is a great lesson of when a man takes wood to build a fire, cook food on it, be warmed by it and then takes some of the wood to make an idol and bow down before it. God shows the stupidity of this, because it is just a piece of wood.

The Ships of Tarshish - This is a prophecy about airplanes.  Because the description is of ships that can fly on the clouds, and they bring the people of Israel back to their land.  This is happening in our present time.   

JEREMIAH

The book of Jeremiah centers on the kingdom of Judah before their exile to Babylon.  The prophet Jeremiah delivered messages from God about what would happen if Judah did not change their ways.  But they would not listen and eventually were taken from the land.

Jeremiah - He is known as the weeping prophet, because of his message of doom for the people.  Due to their stiff-necked ways, they were set on a course for ultimate judgment, unless they changed their ways.  Doing the will of God is the only way to escape judgment.

God Forms All People - The very first verse states that God forms a person in the womb and that He knows you before you are born.  This demonstrates that a person’s life starts at conception, contrary to the beliefs of today that put no value on the early stages of pregnancy.   

The God of Creation - It is stated that the Lord, which is Jesus, is the true God, who is the living God and everlasting King.  Jesus is the God of creation, because the world and all of creation was formed through Him and for Him.  God The Father, who is the “ Most High” and the “One True God”, has never been seen by man.  Only Jesus knows The Father and states that The Father is greater than Him.       

The Prophecies -  There are a number of judgments against many specific nations, which also refers to these same nations in our present time.    

LAMENTATIONS

Lamentations is a book of five songs, or poems, about mourning.  Evidence shows that it was most likely wrote by Jeremiah.  It is about Judah and the conditions after the destruction of Jerusalem.

The First Lamentation - Tells about Jerusalem in affliction, which is basically the aftermath of judgment.

The Second Lamentation - Describes the anger of God toward Jerusalem and the actions that were taken.

The Third Lamentation - The anguish and hope of the prophet, which shows that keeping faith through low times will be rewarded.   

The Fourth Lamentation - The signs of a degenerate society.

The Fifth Lamentation - A prayer of restoration for the people.

 

EZEKIEL

The book of Ezekiel is fascinating due to his many incredible visions of God.  Ezekiel belongs to the group of prophets, along with Habakkuk, Nahum and Zephaniah, whose writings are concerned with the coming destruction of Jerusalem.  He also lived at the same time as Daniel and Obadiah.  Much of the imagery of this book is also reflected in the book of Revelations.

Ezekiel - He was a priest in Jerusalem who was taken captive to Babylon and then chosen by God to speak His words to the rebellious people of Israel who were in captivity.  Most of the book contains the direct speech of God, more than any other.  You can really begin to understand the heart and mind of God in this book.     

The Visions of God - The verses start with a tremendous vision of God, who rides upon living creatures.  Later in the Bible, it is stated that He rides upon the wings of Cherubim, which are living beings within the order of angels.  This has been said to be a UFO by many in our modern day, but it is not.  Nothing in our world can describe the Glory of God when a person has physically witnessed it.     

Judgment of Israel - The Glory of God is shown as leaving the temple, which means His presence would not be amongst the people anymore.  There are many verses devoted to the anger of God towards the southern kingdom of Judah.  He describes the impending judgment that is coming, which includes being taken to Babylon.  But, He also reassures them that He will still help them during their captivity, and that they will return to their own land at a later time.  This shows that God is always with a person in any circumstance.

The Two Sisters - God used the analogy of two sisters when describing the northern tribes of Israel and the southern tribes in Jerusalem.  In very explicit terms, He describes His emotions and the resultant judgment.

Judgments of the Nations - A series of judgments are proclaimed for many modern nations.  Many of these prophesies will happen in our present time.

The Return of Israel - The prophesy of the return of Israel to their land is a central theme and has already happened in our time.  This demonstrates where we are, in the time line of prophesy and the coming of the Day of the Lord.

Gog and Magog - This a great war that will happen in our present time.  A multitude of nations from the north that is led by people from the geographic area of modern day Russia, along with the nations that presently surround Israel, will attack Jerusalem.  But, they will suffer a great defeat, because God will intervene and protect Israel.  It is interesting to note, that the area of modern day Iraq is not mentioned, due to war and the intervention of nations in our modern times.    

The Future Third Temple - A great amount of verses at the end of the book is devoted to plans for the third temple.  This happens right after the war of Gog and Magog.  Only after all of the nations are subdued, could they then begin to build the temple.

DANIEL

The book of Daniel is the fourth and last of the major prophets.  His prophecies deal mainly with the four great empires of the earth, of which his was the first, with a last one that is still to come.  Much of the imagery is also reflected in the Book of Revelations, just as in the Book of Ezekiel.

Daniel - He was a captive of Babylon, but was given a high position due to his ability from God to decipher the king’s dreams.  Due to this,  Nebuchadnezzar, who was king of the most powerful empire on earth that time, declared that the God of Daniel was the true God.

The Great Image - This was the first dream that Daniel interpreted, which was of a statue that represented four great world empires.  The head of gold was Babylon.  The chest was silver, which was the Medo-Persian Empire that overthrew Babylon.  The torso was bronze, which was the Greek Empire that came to dominance.  Then the legs and toes of iron related to a fourth empire that was split in two, which was the Roman Empire of the days of Jesus that was later defeated, and is to be restored in our present days.   

The Seeds of Men - This is a very interesting verse concerning the toes of the Image of Daniel.  They are made of both iron and clay.  It states that “they will mingle with the seed of men”.  The clay represents man, but the iron can only represent angels that mix with humans, as in the days of Noah.  This is the same as the alien abduction scenario that is described as taking place today.

The Four Beasts - The vision of the four beasts are representative of the great empires that would rule the world, with the last one being totally different from the others.  It will be the last kingdom on earth, which is being set up as the new world order in our present time.  After this prophesy is the vision of the seventy weeks, which is a time line right up to the day Jesus appears on earth, and to the time Israel is reborn as a nation in our times.  This is a time line that will end with God ruling the world.  

HOSEA

The book of Hosea is the first of the minor prophets.  They are minor only because of the size of the book and not because of the message.  It is directed at the decline of the northern kingdom of Israel.  The message is about the peoples unfaithfulness in relation to the faithfulness of God.

Hosea - He was a prophet to the northern kingdom, which would be taken captive from the land.  God told him to marry a prostitute, which is what Israel was to God, through which he had two sons and a daughter.  The names that God told him to give to them, were directly related to Israel.  When his wife left him, who was named Gomer, God told him to take her back.  The significance here, is that Hosea was graphically shown the sadness of God and the relationship of His unfaithful people.   

The Restoration of Israel - Even though God was angry at His people for their unfaithfulness, He would again restore them to their land in the future, so they could be His people again.

 

JOEL

The book of Joel starts with destruction, but ends with peace. One of the most important events of the book, is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people in the end times.

Joel - The message of the prophet Joel, describes events of the future and the faithfulness of God to the ones that truly love Him.  God said that the person that listens to Him and obeys Him, truly loves Him.

The Day of the Lord - This is a day that is told of many times through the Bible, which is the days of the wrath of God previous to the  coming of Jesus to execute judgment  on the world.  But, the ones that accept Him will be saved from this terrible day.

  

AMOS

The book of Amos shows how God deals with people, through the example of Israel.  First through patience, then warnings and finally through corrective action.  The book is centered on the idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel.

Amos - He was a sheep herder who lived in southern Judah.  God had him deliver a message of repentance to the northern kingdom, so they would change their ways.  

Judgments of the Nations - There are many judgments against the nations surrounding Israel, including them. Though they were scattered and never returned, their ancestors would return from amongst the nations in the present days.     

OBADIAH

The book of Obadiah is about the bad relationship between Israel and Edom.  The origins of this family feud started with Jacob and Esau.  The central point of the book is about the pride of a nation, or an individual, and what God says about it.

Obadiah - He has the shortest book in the Bible, but with a great message.  Due to the pride and wrong actions of Edom toward Israel, God put His judgment on them.      

The Triumph of Israel - Later in the book, the verses go to the future day of the final triumph of Israel.  This is when they become His people once again and possess the land.

JONAH

The book of Jonah is about the love God has for all the people of the world, even His enemies.  He does not want anyone to parish.  It sets the stage for how God will save the world through Jesus.

Jonah - He was a prophet who ran from God, because he did not want to deliver a message to the people who were his enemies.  But this shows that God wants all people to come to him.

Swallowed by a Fish - When he tried to run from God, he brought trouble to the people of a ship he was on.  He told them to throw him into the sea, but God had him swallowed by a great fish and then expelled three days later.  Though this seems impossible, God states that nothing is impossible for Him to do.  He finally went to Nineveh, and the people did listen to his words and turned to God. But, he became upset again because God showed mercy on them.     

MICAH

The book of Micah is focused on two main subjects, beginning with what makes God angry.  The second part is about consolation, in which Israel is told about the glory of the future by going the way of God

Micah - He deals with the coming judgment of all people , including Israel, who have done wrong.  But there will be a new kingdom in the latter days, which is our present times.  One of the main messages of this book, is what God requires of a person.  It is actually very simple and easy to do, if a person truly wants to please God.  That is, to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  If we treat people right and forgive them, God will do the same for us.  When we do as God wants, we are then walking with God.  

Birthplace of the Savior - The actual place were Jesus the Messiah would be born is told in this book.  This was in Bethlehem, which at that time was the smallest of the places of Judah.  God usually chose the small and weak to show His power, so that it shows that it truly is from God and not from men.  Men would go for great things before small things.   

NAHUM

The book of Nahum is centered on the wrath of God, specifically on the nation of Nineveh.  The book shows that God is slow to anger and great in power, but He will act when the time is ready.

Nahum - About a century and a half after Jonah preached his message to Nineveh, the city had turned from the ways of God.  Now Nahum delivered a message of their destruction from God.

The Wrath of God - God is slow to anger and very patient, but there comes a time when enough is enough.  When God makes a decision of judgment, it is swift.  This is a preview of what is coming to the present world.  

HABAKKUK

The book of Habakkuk is a book about questions.  These are questions that people ponder about God.  For example, why He does not act in a world gone wrong.  We do not see the world as God sees it, so we have to trust God for His time of justice.

Habakkuk - Sometime after the fall of Nineveh, but before the  southern kingdom of Judah was to be taken away, Habakkuk asked questions of God which echo today.  He asks God why He lets bad things happen, and then seems to do nothing.  God told him that Babylon would destroy Judah and take them from the land.  Habakkuk wondered why a nation that was worse than the wicked society of Judah at that time, would be allowed to do this.  God knows everything and His plans are perfect, even though we do not understand them.  So He then told him, that Babylon would also be punished years later.    

The Just Live by Faith - We cannot understand the infinite knowledge of God.  Only by trusting Him through faith, and waiting patiently, will we be able to someday totally understand.  God has great rewards for the person that lives by His instructions.

 

ZEPHANIAH

The book of Zephaniah is about warning and a call to repentance, followed by judgment and restoration.  It centers on a message to Israel and also on the future.

Zephaniah - He delivers a message of doom to Judah, because of their wicked ways.  But later, it is a message of peace for the remnant that would return in the future.     

The Day of the Lord - The description of what is to overcome Judah, is also a description of events that will happen in the future.  This is when Jesus returns as the King of Israel.  The judgment involves surrounding nations and the whole earth.  

HAGGAI

The book of Haggai is centered on two topics, selfish disobedience and spiritual obedience.  The book tells about the people delaying the rebuilding the temple after their captivity and how the future temple will be even more glorious.

Haggai - After returning from exile in Babylon, the work of the temple was neglected.  The message of Haggai, was that the work of God should take priority in their lives.  

The Future Temple - In the present times, God will literally shake the nations of the earth.  Afterwards, they will all then come to the new Temple in Jerusalem to worship.  It will be filled with more glory than the former one.   

ZECHARIAH

The book of Zechariah is full of corrective teaching, when Israel was supposed to be building the temple.  It has many prophecies of the future and the new Jerusalem.

Zechariah - After the return from exile, work on the temple had stalled.  Zechariah delivered a message of repentance, along with many prophecies.  The coming Messiah is identified many times through out the book.

The Prophecies - They deal mainly with Jerusalem, the surrounding nations and future events.  Even though there was many hard times throughout history, God will make everything right for everyone who listens to Him.

The Flying Scroll - This is a peculiar verse.  Because the scroll, which is a curse from God, is described as a physical object with real dimensions.  It is sent out all over the world to expel the thief and the liar.    

Female Angels - This is the only place in the Bible were there is a description of female angels.  They are described as carrying a basket with a woman in it called “Wickedness”, which is set in a land called Shinar, in order to build a house for it.  The land of Shinar is were Babylon was located.  Since Babylon has vanished, this describes a new Babylon which exists in our present times.  The new Babylon, in which the name is used as both a social system and a physical city, is described further in the Book of Revelations.

Israel Saved - In the end, all of the modern day descendents of both the northern and southern kingdoms will return to Israel.  There are many people all over the world that do not even know they are descendents of Israel.  God told Abraham that his descendants would be “as the stars in heaven and the sand which is on the sea shore”.  Also, the nations of the earth would be blessed by him because of his obedience.

The Day of the Lord - The Day of the Lord is described in great detail, along with a graphic description of the type of curse that would come upon all the men that go to battle against the Messiah when He returns.  He will stand on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and it will be split in two.  Half of the mountain will move north and half to the south, in order to provide a valley as an escape route for the people in Jerusalem when this war takes place.   

MALACHI

The book of Malachi is about the love of God for people, and how they react in poor manner to Him.  The book shows the coming of the Savior.

Malachi - He is the last prophet of the Old Testament, who delivers a message from God in the period of years after the temple had been built.  The priests and people had fallen from the true worship of God, which was just an appearance of religion on the outside, but not on the inside.  This message is as relevant today as it was then.  God says that people must walk with Him in truth, and honor Him in the way we live our life.  By having faith and following the ways of God is the only way to a perfect society.      

The Day of the Lord - The day is coming soon to our present world, when all of the people that oppress others will end.  The verses describe how God will overcome the enemies, and a new just society will be established.  

Next - The Journey Part 3