LESSON 1, INTRODUCTION:

The Book of Isaiah and the Bible are parallel in many respects. So much so that I'd like to begin this series of "Bible Survey" Lessons with that consideration. Then, when we reach Isaiah in our progression, I'll say even more about that great Prophecy.

First of all, providentially the Book of Isaiah contains 66 chapters, total. And the Bible? Sixty six Books!

The Book of Isaiah is divided into two sections. So is the whole Word of God, Old Testament and New!

Isaiah's two parts are chapters 1-39, mainly lots of history. Then chapters 40-66, lots of prophecy. And the Bible too, its Old Testament? Thirty nine (39) Books, depicting mostly years long ago! Then the New Testament, 27 more Books, Life of Christ and beyond! Even the "numbers" match!

Isaiah's first chapter, comparable to the Bible's first Book, Genesis, clearly has God saying: "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken ...." (Isaiah 1:2) And that's exactly what Genesis has God saying to heaven and earth, creation week: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Genesis 1:1,3) See the similarity?

Go to Isaiah's last chapter, number 66, and look for parallels to the Bible 66th Book, Revelation. "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." (Isaiah 66:22) Now Revelation's next to last chapter: "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." (Revelation 21:1)

Wow!

Now to Isaiah's great chapter 40, corresponding to the Bible's Book of Matthew. "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 40:3-5) Then our first Gospel, Book 40 of the Bible: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Matthew 3:1-3)

These appear repeatedly throughout Isaiah, folks!

One Preaches calls Isaiah "the Bible in microcosm!"

What does all this indicate?

The the Same Author composed, arranged, and preserved Scripture for us. In fact, the Word of God is eternal! Psalm 119:89 says: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."

Amen!

When time allows, read Isaiah through the lens I've presented today. Compare it, chapter by chapter to its "sister" Section of Scripture!

You'll be glad you did.

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, GENESIS:

The opening words in the Bible, in English translated "in the beginning," are literally the characters forming the Hebrew noun "Genesis!" It's spelled this way "bereshiyth."

And Genesis lives up to its name!

It is indeed a Book of beginnings!

Of the earth for example.

And human beings too.

The family unit has its origin here as well.

Later the Nation of Israel.

Yes, Genesis!

The Book consists of 50 chapters. A total of 1,533 verses, all divinely inspired of God. Part is history, part narrative. All is beautiful!

This first Unit of Scripture is so important that books are written about its "impact." I recently reviewed one about the very "History of Genesis!" How its been treated, understood through the years.

Looks like Moses is the writer, the human author. Of course. like Paul said much later, "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God."

One of my Bible teachers in High School, years ago, said of Genesis, "It's the seed plot of the Bible!" Every Truth in Holy Writ has its beginning, or at least an initial "hint" of its existence, in Genesis!

Including Jesus!

One might "outline" or learn the "flow" of Genesis by memorizing four events and four men! Here they are:

1. Creation

2. Fall

3. Flood

4. Tower of Babel

5. Abraham

6. Isaac

7. Jacob

8. Joseph!

Those eight facts carry you through all fifty chapters! The Book in miniature really.

Much of today's theological debating centers on Genesis. It is accurate? Are the facts of creation discussed in its pages literal? Are its characters real people, or just legends?

Folks, it's God's Word!

Yes, it is accurate and literal and truthful.

If you've never read this Masterpiece of God's Grace ... begin today! And don't quit until you have arrived at the end of Joseph's life. That would be Genesis' last verse, 50:26. You'll enjoy the journey!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, EXODUS:

The Bible's second Book begins with "the groans of the Israelites" and ends with "The Glory of the Lord!" I saw that line, that truth, in a Bible Survey Text late yesterday.

The Jews indeed were slaves in Egypt. But Moses, and the plagues, God's Power revealed, bring Israel freedom! Symbolically via the death of a little lamb, Passover Night, and the parting of the Red Sea ... Israel is redeemed.

After a short journey to Mount Sinai, the giving of the Law, and preparation to march further toward the "promised land," Exodus settles into its longest discussion of all.

Chapters 25 through 40, in fact. All in one respect or another concentrate on the Tabernacle. Merely a tent for worship purposes ... in one sense. But the most complete Type of Christ we have in all Scripture ... in another sense.

Every piece of "furniture" in this amazing structure symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ. From the largest one, the brass altar at the front door ... to the most restricted item, the Ark of the Covenant, sitting mid-way into the Holy of Holies!

Everything focuses on Him, on our Saviour!

I've just decided that the opening Books of Scripture ... more than I ever realized ... "hint" and "point" to our Lord, every aspect of His Life and Ministry, again and again!

My prayer today is that someone, and I'll settle for a single individual, will get more interested in Exodus! And read it in its entirety. And study it thereafter. And let it point you to Jesus!

Why, a year could be invested studying the Tabernacle alone!

Profitably so!

One of my favorite Exodus verses is this: "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13, spoken by the Lord Himself!

Have you been saved?

Has the Blood of the Lamb been applied to the doorposts of your heart today?

If not, why not?

Paul wrote: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10

No one could say any more.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, LEVITICUS:

Yes, the Book is named for a group of people, all Jews. They're called the "Levites." Now you know that today's study will focus on the Old Testament's third Book, Leviticus.

It is the primary Old Testament document on "worship." How to approach God! How to worship Him! The Book begins with a very detailed set of instructions on the various "offerings" a Jewish man or woman could bring to the altar, where a priest would aid in presenting that gift to God. Seventeen of the Book's twenty-seven chapters detail these minute and precise steps of worship.

And this is so thrilling. Each "offering" pictures the Lord Jesus Christ in some fashion! Each accents a particular (often forgotten nowadays) aspect of Jesus' Work while on earth. Either His Life or Death being extolled!

Jesus did MORE that we will ever know, until we have Perfect Knowledge anyway! But Leviticus at least helps us comprehend some of our Lord's Glory in this area.

The last ten chapters of Leviticus focus on godly living. On being "clean" in our daily activities.

And the Book closes with a set of instructions on how the "land," their "real estate," is to be dedicated to God as well. How proper use of their acreage can reflect their reverence for God ... and thereby increase productivity at the same time!

In sum, how to worship ... then how to live!

What to believe ... how to behave!

Doctrine ... followed by duty!

Keep this one practical word in mind concerning Leviticus ... the Bible's great Book of Worship!

These twenty-seven chapters are "loaded" with types and symbols and shadows and emblems of living for God, approaching His Throne, adoring His Person ... even in these modern days of ours!

Leviticus, someone make it a reading project for your life.

         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, NUMBERS:

Yes, the Book of Numbers lives up to its name! It "counts" the children of Israel, a national census. In fact, twice they are enumerated, in chapter 1 and again in chapter 26.

In essence, the book covers the many dreary years of desert wanderings which Israel needlessly experienced.

Geographically the Book is situated at Mount Sinai, chapters 1-9. Then the trek to Kadesh-barnea, chapters 10-14. This is where they refused to go fight the giants and enter the Promised Land! Unbelief held them back! So then comes 38 years of travel here and there, all in the desert, chapters 15-36.

If the Book has a key thought perhaps it's this: the danger of doubt and disobedience, not following the Lord completely.

Some of its most significant chapters include:

Chapter 6 ... the Nazarite Vow

Chapter 13 ... the crisis and failure at Kadesh-barnea

Chapter 16 ... the rebellion of Korah, an uprising against Moses' leadership

Chapter 17 ... Aaron's rod that budded and blossomed

Chapter 21 ... the brass serpent on a pole

Chapters 22-24 ... the Balaam incident

The book is filled with practical pointers to encourage us to live for our Lord, wholeheartedly!

I pray someone studying here today, noticing the Books of the Old Testament, will be "enticed" by Numbers and decide to read it today! Become a student of this great Portion of Scripture.

It contains "worlds" of wisdom!

Godly wisdom.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, DEUTERONOMY:

Deuteronomy is the fifth Book of the Old Testament, and just like the first four, is written by Moses. It's name means, literally, "second law." Understandably so, because it records the Ten Commandments a second time. They are listed in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, in other words.

The "bulk" of Deuteronomy consists of an exposition of the laws God gave Israel. Usually the "law" is divided into three sections. The ceremonial law, how to worship God. The civil law, how to obey the government. And the moral law, how to live with others.

The most unique fact concerning the Book is, I think, the truth that Jesus loved it so! No doubt as a lad Mary and Joseph inculcated Deuteronomy into that perfect little Mind!

When tempted of Satan, years later as an Adult now, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy all three times as He refuted the Devil!

Look! Matthew 4:4, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Nearly verbatim from Deuteronomy 8:3.

Then Jesus says to the Devil, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." This time quoting Deuteronomy 6:16.

And finally, "Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." This is Deuteronomy 6:13.

Wow!

And Deuteronomy is in many ways such a practical Book too. I hope someone today reads these few descriptive paragraphs and decides, prayerfully, to delve into that Book, Deuteronomy.

All 34 chapters!

You will spiritually profit immeasurably for doing so!

I remember once copying Matthew Henry's commentary on Deuteronomy and then reading it word for word, what joy filled my soul! Marking and underlining and highlighting to my heart's content!

Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Pentateuch, and one of the greatest Books in all the Bible.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, JOSHUA:

With Joshua we leave the five Biblical Books of Law behind. And enter a section of twelve more Books, simply known as the "historical" section of the Old Testament.

Joshua is a transitional Book indeed. Israel leaves the wilderness, the desert ... and enters the Land of Canaan. The Promised Land!

In four "movements" Joshua includes the commissioning of its new leader, no longer Moses. Then war, conquering the enemy! Then settling in the Land, diving the spoil. Followed by two ending chapters in which the Jews are warned about sin and wickedness.

The Book includes a total of twenty-four chapters.

It's New Testament parallel is the Epistle of Ephesians, no doubt. Leaving mediocrity behind ... and reaching forth to maturity, to Spirit-filled living!

The abundant life!

My favorite Text from Joshua has to be that famous command in chapter one. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:9

The verb "depart" means "to be removed."

The verb "meditate" means "to mutter, speak or talk" lowly, almost under one's breath! Learn a Verse of Scripture and "talk" to it all day long! Let it "talk back" to you as well!

Mentally and spiritually "chew" on it until you have tasted its every tinge of flavor! Let it nourish you! Grow thereby!

Both Joshua and Ephesians can be summarized by Peter's last written words, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." Second Peter 3:18

Joshua would say, "Cross the Jordan. Claim your possessions!"

Ephesians would say, "Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit!"

Jesus would say, "Amen!"

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, JUDGES:

The Book of Judges has a key phrase, used twice, that seems to frame its entire message. "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes," Judges 17:6 and 21:25.

This Portion of Scripture attempts to describe about 400 years of the "darkest" time in all Israel's history.

It's "judges" are men, and a woman, who "led" and helped "defend" their Country from approaching and sometimes enslaving enemies.

Here they are in order:

Othniel, the first Judge after Joshua's death.

Ehud, who was left-handed!

Shamgar, Judges 3:31, a one-verse administration!

Deborah and Barak, the only "duo" team!

Gideon, one of the better known leaders.

Abimelech, a treacherous judge, a murderer really!

Tola,

Jair,

Jephthah, who sacrificed his daughter!

Ibzan,

Elon,

Abdon,

and Samson, the strong man whose life was wrecked by sin!

Wow!

Then the Book closes in chapters 17-21 with two of the morally "lowest" stories in all Scripture! Anarchy, terror!

Truly in Judges, "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes," There's no doubt about that.

Proverbs 14:34 comes to mind here. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

May our Country remember that truth today.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, RUTH:

The book of Ruth is a beauty, both as literature and as Scripture! Only four chapters, eighty-five verses, but totally inspired by the Holy Spirit of God!

It's the story of a Jewish family who failed to trust God as they should have. Leaving Bethlehem, a man named Elimelech led his little brood to a foreign land, to a distant city, to find food! (God could have fed them had they stayed at "home," in the Promised Land!)

There in Moab Elimelech died! So did his two sons, after having grown up and marrying gentile women! One of whom, Orpah, chose not to follow the God of Israel.

But Ruth, the second daughter-in-law, she's another kind!

When Naomi, the bereaved wife and mother, decided to go back "home," Ruth accompanied her! A "stranger" in the land of Israel.

The rest of the story tells how God took care of those two ladies. Feeding them, providing housing, and even a Husband for Ruth herself!

Largely via a man named "Boaz," a beautiful "type" of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Then in due time comes a baby, little Obed, eventual grandfather to the great king David of Israel!

It's a beautiful story of the amazing Grace of God!

I earlier today saw a brief "sketch" of Ruth that impressed me. Using its four chapters as a "grid," the Preacher said chapter 1 pictures Naomi and Ruth. Chapters 2 and 3 tell of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz. And chapter 4 narrows the focus to Boaz and Ruth together, just those two!

Wow!

Again, Ruth chapter 1 ... mutual grief, sorrow. Chapters 2 and 3 ... mutual pursuit, seeking a mate! And chapter 4 ... mutual love. That's a pretty evaluation!

Here's a chapter by chapter description: Ruth 1, grief! Ruth 2, loneliness! Ruth 3, companionship! And finally Ruth 4, rejoicing!

Maybe, it being so short, each of us today or tomorrow could invest a few minutes and read, or re-read, that Portion of the Word of God.

Ruth, what a love story!

One Bible teacher titled his book on Ruth, "The Romance of Redemption!" That just about says it all.

I wonder if anyone is studying with us today and it's your favorite Book of the Bible, Ruth? I've asked this question to hundreds of Christians through the years, especially preachers. And very often, "Ruth" is the unequivocal answer.

Amen.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, FIRST SAMUEL:

The Books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles sort of "fit" together. These six are pure history, divinely inspired we believe. In some instances they "repeat" each other, as do the Gospels. Seems like, at times, God loves to establish truth in a two-fold, sometimes, three-fold way! Speaking of the Gospels, some miracles and events there are described up to four times!

First Samuel, with 31 chapters, 810 verses, all takes place in the Land of Canaan. It basically records the decline of the Judges (Eli and Samuel being the transition men) and the rise of the Monarchy (Saul and David being the transition men here). In fact, these are the main characters of the Book; Eli, Samuel, Saul and David.

The Book covers a time period of just under one hundred years, ninety-four says one commentary, attempting to be more exact.

Much like the New Testament Book of Acts, First Samuel divides itself into two sections. In chapters 1-12 (again like Acts) the focus is mainly on Samuel, the man. And chapters 13-31 center on Saul, his accession and then rejection by God.

Christ our Lord is portrayed in First Samuel via the lives of both Samuel and David. Samuel was both a prophet and priest, like Jesus! And David was King par excellence, even born in Bethlehem, like our Lord!

I suppose one could surmise, having read First Samuel, that though leaders and governments gradually change ... God overarching Goal remains the same! He is really the One on the Throne!

And that goal is?

The salvation of lost souls ... to the ultimate Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! To the Glory of God the Father!

I wish some speed-reader, or some diligent Bible student, would today go through First Samuel, every verse. And experience first-hand what God the Holy Spirit impresses on your heart, on your mind, as a result of your perusal of this critical block of Scripture. If anyone does, I'd love to hear your response!

The Bible what a Book!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, SECOND SAMUEL:

In a way, as one would expect, the Old Testament Book of Second Samuel is basically a continuation of First Samuel. It's main character clearly is David, the second King of Israel.

Several survey books divide Second Samuel into halves. Chapters 1-10 do seem to discuss David's Triumphs, his victories on the way to reigning over all Israel. From his initial crowning and reign over Judea ... to his expansion and leadership over all the nation, all twelve tribes. From having his throne in Hebron ... to having his throne in Jerusalem!

Then chapters 11-20 seem to present David's Troubles! I like the way one teacher sees it. David's troubles with himself, the sin with Bathsheba and its many consequences. David's trouble with his family, particularly his sons Amnon and Absalom. Then David's trouble with his nation, really lasting through the rest of the Book.

Yes, David sinned. We all do. Yes, David was forgiven. We all can be through the Grace of God. But yes, David suffered consequences for his wrongdoing. We shall too!

If I were asked to choose a central Passage in Second Samuel, it might be: "And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever." This is the Lord speaking to David, promising him the kingdom "for ever!" Second Samuel 7:12-13, sometimes called the "Davidic Covenant."

And another reason David is so important in the schema of Bible Study ... is his ultimate relation to the Lord Jesus Christ! For an example, Matthew 1:1. "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

I realize we are in the "middle" now of Bible history, but still these Books are inspired of the Holy Spirit and worthy of our attention.

Someone today embark on a study project ... going through David's life and watching God work! You'll be all over Second Samuel in the process, gleaning gem after gem every hour you invest!

The Bible and its characters, none being perfect except Jesus ... but all being subjects of God's great Love!

Wow!

Let's do all we can to "master" the Book!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, FIRST KINGS:

First Kings, it even sounds like history! It's an Old Testament Book with 22 chapters, a total of 816 verses.

The Book begins by relating the story of King Solomon. The son of David who ruled Israel for forty years.

Sadly, First Kings records the break-up of Israel into two separate nations, called Judah (two tribes in the south) and Israel (ten tribes in the north).

Solomon seems to have been a King with a divided heart. Who left behind a Kingdom with a divided people! In fact, still called today by Bible teachers, "a divided kingdom!"

The first eleven chapters of First Kings detail Solomon's rise and reign, including his building the Temple. Dedicating it too! Plus a discussion of his wealth and fame and backsliding! In the end he's a failed monarch.

The last eleven chapters depict the nation's civil war, plus the introduction of Elijah's ministry, and the lives of the nations' first few kings, down through wicked Ahab in fact.

The whole Book covers a time span of over 100 years, about 130 or so many commentators say.

Yet out of this history, this chaos at times, a Bible student can find "nuggets" of gold, truths to help him or her live a more godly life!

Someone read First Kings today.

See what the holy Spirit teaches you through its inspired pages.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, SECOND KINGS:

Today we notice Second Kings, the twelfth Book of the Bible. With twenty-five chapters, it sadly follows the downward, sinful trek of two nations, Israel and Judah! It traces their last days, their separate captivities, Israel to Assyria and Judah into the hands of Babylon. All because of unrepentant sin!

The Book is arranged beautifully.

Chapters 1-10 focus on the Northern Kingdom, Israel.

Chapters 18-25 examine the Southern Kingdom, Judah.

Then the middle chapters, 11-17, alternate between the two little Nations.

This is also a Book that highlights some of God's choice Prophets. Both Elijah and Elisha end their ministries here. Then the Book looks at the times of Amos and Hosea, Jonah too in a way, Prophets to the North, them all.

But the Southern Prophets are not forgotten either. Obadiah and Joel and Micah and Isaiah would have preached during this same time span. Jeremiah too.

As far as the Kings are concerned, in the North ... Ahaziah to Hoshea, the last man to sit on Israel's throne. And in the South, Jehoram to Zedekiah, then came Nebuchadnezzar!

Of course there is a yet future King to occupy David's Throne, Jesus Christ Himself! God has not completed His Plan for Israel yet!

The overarching theme of Second Kings ... God will judge sin, even in the life of a Nation!

And Jesus is lovingly portrayed in the lives of a number of the Prophets, Elijah and Elisha and Hosea especially.

A complex Book, yes!

An enjoyable Book to read, yes!

A God-inspired Book, no doubt!

Someone put Second Kings on your "must read" list please. You will profit spiritually thereby. Guaranteed! "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." First Timothy 3:16

         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, FIRST CHRONICLES:

First Chronicles begins with nine chapters of genealogies! Name after name after name! To me these lists lend historical credibility to the Scriptures. They are not fictitious! Historical accuracy is a Biblical hallmark! These family lines span Adam, the first human, to Saul, the first King of Israel.

Then the tenth chapter of First Chronicles gives a fleeting "glance" at King Saul's reign, the end of it anyway. Including Saul's failures, sins, "transgressions!"

It's unique! David's sin with Bathsheba is omitted here in Chronicles! Having been confessed and forsaken, God has now "forgotten" David's wrongdoing! But not so with Saul, who never really fully repented!

First Chronicles chapters eleven through twenty-nine, to the end of the Book, centers on King David, from his accession to the Throne until his very death. Including a list of David's "mighty men," chapter eleven. Bringing the Ark of the Covenant back home to Jerusalem, chapter fifteen. His preparation for the building of the Temple, chapter twenty-two. And David "guiding" Solomon to the Throne in his Father's stead.

The Chroniclers of Scripture seem to emphasize the "worship," the "priestly" side of life more than the other Books of history. This is history ... but in its relation to serving the Lord!

God loves a "stereoptic" view of things! I may have just coined a word! Considering a thing from several different perspectives!

Twenty-nine chapters of "selective" history, narrative ... well worth reading! I've never had a person tell me that First Chronicles is their "favorite" Book of the Bible!

Nonetheless it is a critically important Book!

First Chronicles, thank God for it.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, SECOND CHRONICLES:

Second Chronicles was once "joined" to First Chronicles, forming just one Book of the Bible. The same can be said for Kings, both First and Second, right along with Samuel for that matter.

I'm glad we have them just like they are, much easier to study and digest. Every bit of every sentence inspired of God!

Second Chronicles, today's "study," covers a time period of 427 years, according to my Scofield Bible. We can be that precise because the lengths, the time spans, of the reigns of the specific Kings are clearly enumerated in the text. Over four centuries of history!

The first nine chapters of First Chronicles' thirty-six chapters discusses the reign of King Solomon, Son of King David and Father of King Rehoboam. Most of these chapters also highlight the building of the Temple. Including Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple, chapter six, the longest prayer in the Bible!

Then chapters ten through Book's end discuss the remaining Kings of Judah, largely because they reign over the City of Jerusalem. Remember, the Chronicles have a "priestly" interest in society, worshipping God.

Yes, for some reason King Rehoboam gets a lot of attention, too. He was not as wise as his Father. Chapters ten through twelve, all about Rehoboam!

Next come synopses, summaries, of King Abijah and then his son Asa, their administrations. Followed by King Jehoshaphat, then his son Jehoram. Then rules Ahaziah, still in the same family line, the dynasty of David!

Yes, one king after another, some good and some bad and some in-between! All the way down to Zedekiah, the last man on Judah's Throne before Nebuchadnezzar enslaved the whole Nation, taking them away to Babylon!

One could say Second Chronicles takes us from the time of the Building of Solomon's Temple ... right up to the rebuilding of the Temple of Zerubbabel, the post captivity temple of Israel.

Second Chronicles, the story of a disintegrating nation, for the most part a backslidden people.

Beware nations yet today!

Especially America!

God still honors Righteousness.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

While we are not given the name of the human "writer" of this Book, we can accurately call him the "chronicler!" Though some have guessed Ezra to be the historian who left us this material, this accurate history.

LESSON 16, EZRA:

Ezra has only nine chapters. The Book records the heroic attempt of a man named Zerubbabel, leader of the Jews as they returned from Babylon back to the Holy Land. After the "Babylonian Captivity" I mean. This happened under the reign of King Cyrus of Persia.

Then after a thirty year delay (an estimate) a second group returned from the diaspora. This time led by a man named Ezra. Still, surely the majority of the Jews remained in that foreign land. Unwilling to inconvenience themselves and make the hard journey "Home."

We have the numbers. Of a whole Nation ... only 49,897 joined Zerubbabel and still less, only 1,754 came back under Ezra! These are astounding figures! Of those who stayed behind, count Mordecai and Esther ... of all people!

As far as "content" is concerned, Ezra records the rebuilding of the Temple. It's "restoration" anyway. The first six chapters tell the story. Then the last three chapters tell of the reformation of the people! Much sin had crept into their lives and Ezra was determined to preach purity to their souls!

Someone read Ezra today. It is a Book about 'Revival," to me this seems so anyway. Its 280 verses will challenge you to attempt living a life, not in the "world," but in the land of "victory!"

Worshiping God (the Temple idea) and pursuing purity and holiness (the separation from sin idea) ... clearly the two main themes of Ezra!

What a powerful little Book!

It's a shame that it is preached so seldom these days.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I'll probably get an e-mail some day, in the future, with someone telling me that he or she has accepted the "challenge" and is studying Ezra. If so, you will be thanking me, no doubt, for pointing you toward that little Portion of Scripture.

LESSON 17, NEHEMIAH:

The Book of Nehemiah is one of my favorites. As a young Pastor I preached all the way through its thirteen chapters. What a thrill!

It's another "post-exile" Book of the Old Testament, having been written after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian Captivity. From 445 to about 420 BC, we believe, the book's dates.

Nehemiah, a government employee, "cupbearer" to the King, becomes burdened about the condition of his "home" city, Jerusalem. It's in shambles, having been ransacked and nearly demolished seven decades earlier by plundering soldiers.

Nehemiah chapters one through seven give us a lovely account of the city "walls" being rebuilt. Here is one of the greatest of all Bible "Texts" on leadership and cooperation and success, group effort!

Then Nehemiah chapters eight through ten record a Revival that occurred in the Land. Ezra the priest preaches a sermon that powerfully speaks to God's hungry people.

Finally chapters eleven through thirteen record various areas of reform that needed to be enacted, and were.

One writer says the whole Book is about reformation, repentance, and revival. First civil reform followed by religious reform capped by political reform!

Renewed walls, renewed commitment to God, and renewed national fervor ... still the need of the hour in which we live!

Another teacher said that Nehemiah begins with construction ... then blends into instruction!

Nehemiah the man is first cupbearer to the King. Next, builder of the wall. And finally, governor of the people.

Yes, laymen can serve the Lord too, very effectively!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

It will not take much time for someone to read Nehemiah today. Thirteen chapters, only 406 verses ... and worth every minute of time one could ever invest in it. After all, it's the Word of God!

LESSON 18, ESTHER:

The Old Testament Book of Esther barely made it into the Bible! Many of the so-called Church "Fathers" did not believe these ten chapters were "worthy" of being in the "Canon."

But it is called "inspired" by the Apostle Paul! "All Scripture" is. Meaning Esther is God-breathed, written by His Divine Hand.

Yet the book does not once mention God's Name! Nor is it quoted in the New Testament a single time! And it is "narrative," not doctrinal in nature. It tells a story, a historical one, but still a story.

And our time and space here today would not allow me to tell you of the "weaknesses" in Esther's faith. Mordecai's too, for that matter. Notice that no one from the whole Book of Esther is even suggested in Hebrews chapter eleven, the great "Faith" chapter of the Bible, Listing all those Old Testament heroes! Even "Samson" is named there!

Then "why" do we have Esther?

What's its purpose?

I believe this.

It gives the narrative of how God intervened in history, one of many times of course, to spare the Jewish people from extinction!

That Israel is the "apple" of God's Eye, His little Darling!

"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 for ever. 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." Jeremiah 31:35-37, amazing!

Amen!

That's "why" we have the book of Esther.

God will use anyone or anything, if need be, to accomplish his goals for His chosen people, for the seed of Abraham, for the Jews.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19, JOB:

The Old Testament Book of Job is massive. Spiritually it's certainly a heavy-weight! Intellectually too, as well as culturally relevant. And as literature it is nearly unsurpassed. The Gospels being perhaps the all-time champions in that area.

Yet I think we often miss the whole point of Job.

Most all commentaries consider it a manual on "suffering." And it does highlight that subject, especially enigmatic pain and sorrow.

But at its heart, Job is about "faithfulness."

Faithfulness to God, no matter what!

Limited to a few main characters, named ones anyway, Job himself, Job the man is the central personality. His so-called friends are also listed, Eliphaz and Bildad and Zophar. One more interrupter is listed, Elihu. Then, there is God!

Job's Wife and children are part of the plot, too.

Job is determined to remain "true" to God, not to budge an iota, from complete trust in the Almighty!

Early on we learn God's opinion of Job: "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." Job 1:1, its very first verse!

Again in chapter one listen to God "delight" in Job: "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job 1:8

And Job, though enduring all types of hardship, consistently responds with integrity to His Lord. Here's a beautiful example: "Though He (God) slay me, yet will I trust in Him: and I will maintain mine own ways before Him." That is, I will keep living for Him, Job 13:15.

After learning of the deaths, untimely deaths, of all ten of his children, Job says, faithfully says: "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Yes, "faithfulness!"

Did Job keep on believing? Whatever may have come his way? "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Job 19:25-26

Amazing!

Read Job, again.

Do it soon, dear Christian friend.

And get a refresher course in being "faithful" to the God Who saved you!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Job has 42 chapters and 1,070 verses. Each inspired of God.

LESSON 20, PSALMS:

The Psalms comprise a miniature Bible within 150 chapters. Every major facet of doctrine, poems of praise, and even some prophecy! But how do you write an Article surveying that vast body of inspired Scripture?

Years ago I was captivated when reading a statement like this. "The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 sections. Each corresponding to one of the Books of the Pentateuch."

The noun "Pentateuch" just means "five books," a direct reference to the Old Testament Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

That thrilled me, as a teenage Bible student and young preacher boy! I determined to find those five "sections" of the Psalms.

Here they are, still the best way I know to analyze the Psalter. "Psalter" is the noun often used to depict the entire collection, the 150 chapters of the Book itself.

Psalms Book 1 ... Psalms 1 through 41, corresponding to Genesis.

Psalms Book 2 ... Psalms 42 through 72, the Exodus section.

Psalms Book 3 ... Psalms 73 through 89, the Leviticus group.

Psalms Book 4 ... Psalms 90 through 106, the Numbers Psalms.

Psalms Book 5 ... Psalms 107 through 150, the Deuteronomy unit of Psalms.

One way to tell that these divisions are accurate is simply this, each "section" ends the same way! With a "doxology," a lovely sentence, sometimes even a paragraph, of praise and exultation!

Wow!

For example, Psalm 41:13. "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."

Then Psalm 72:18-20. "Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended."

Psalm 89:52, the culmination of the Levitical division, worship! "Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen."

Now look at Psalm 106:48, amazing! "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD."

Lastly, and perhaps the most dramatic, Psalm 150:6. But really all that little Psalm is a doxology! A grand finale indeed! "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."

Yes, this is one way to study the Psalms.

God's Mind is always orderly!

He knows what He's doing!

And Oh, What an Author He is!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 21, PROVERBS:

The Book of Proverbs is powerful! God's "Wisdom" expressed in words. The Old Testament Proverbs consists of 31 chapters, a total of 915 verses. Normally considered as written by King Solomon, the son of King David of Israel.

This Book covers virtually every area of life, how God would have us conduct ourselves. And it does so negatively and positively.

It lists things to stay away from, to avoid!

And shares some things we need to pursue, to diligently follow!

Therein the Holy Spirit discusses several dozen types of people. From the drunkard to the prostitute to the godly man or woman. Even the lazy man gets some attention!

I once counted over 40 of these characters, both good and bad.

Proverbs also sheds light on how to behave during all stages of life. As a young person, as an adult, a parent, a grand-parent, and an elderly individual too!

The Hebrew noun for "proverb" is "mashal," a word meaning "to rule, to have dominion, to reign" over one's life!

Rules by which to live ... dozens and dozens of them ... the Bible's great Book of Proverbs!

Enjoy some today!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I read this earlier today. "A good man's life is often built on a proverb!" Then this, "A proverb is to speech what salt is to food!" Also, "When the occasion comes, the proverb comes!" God, let it be so.

LESSON 22, ECCLESIASTES:

The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes is a "riddle" to many. It's 12 little chapters, its 222 verses, are sometimes hard to comprehend. But it too is divinely inspired of God, just like all the Bible.

Perhaps the Book's best known phrase is "under the sun," an expression used an amazing 29 times in such a short Composition. Really, Ecclesiastes surveys all of life "under then sun," without much thought of Almighty God being involved a bit!

No wonder most of its conclusions are so very "pessimistic."

The short little noun "vanity," essentially meaning "emptiness," is found a total of 38 times in our Book! And life without God can be just that ... insignificant! Over three dozen times, that's an average of once every six verses!

Twice Solomon concludes this: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." See Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 12:8. The "preacher" is the "narrator" of Ecclesiastes, Solomon himself for those of us who believe David's Royal Son wrote the Book.

But the end of the Book is where, I think, everything falls into place. Let me share with you its last two verses. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

And if one has come to the place where he believes those two verses, Ecclesiastes 12:1 makes wise sense. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."

Wow!

True, Ecclesiastes is NOT a Philippians!

Solomon is not a Paul the Apostle!

But it is still loaded with Holy Spirit given information and inspiration ... to help us better live for God. To better prioritize our lives. To be further equipped to warn folks about forgetting Almighty God!

I have a suggestion.

Let's read Ecclesiastes today!

All of it.

In fact, I'm (as a result of thinking these thought with you all this morning) going to preach a series of sermons from Ecclesiastes. The Lord is "warming" my heart along this line right now!

Soon, Lord willing, I hope to enter a pulpit and say, "Open your Bibles to the first three verses in Ecclesiastes. Let's now read: The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?"

And here we go!

Amen!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 23, SONG OF SOLOMON:

The Book opens with these words, "The song of songs, which is Solomon's." That's Verse one of its first chapter.

In the Hebrew language, that's a way to make an expression superlative! Doubling it with the preposition "of" in the middle of the couplet. For example, "King of kings" means the greatest of all monarchs! And "Lord of Lords!" Or in the Tabernacle, the "Holy of Holies!" 

So Solomon believes that the Book we call the "Song of Solomon" is his very best work ever! It is in his estimation the song of all songs! And apparently the Holy Spirit agrees, placing these words in our Bible!

Do remember that Solomon wrote lots of songs. First Kings 4:32 tells us: "He spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five." Wow, how many songs? Answer ... 1,005 of them.

And our Text today is his masterpiece!

The "Song of Solomon," eight chapters, one hundred seventeen verses, is a love story! And the relationship that develops, between a young groom and his lovely fiancé, deepens as the chapters expand!

To me Song of Solomon is a story of developing, maturing love!

At first the Bride-to-be loves her future husband because of what he can do for her. "My Beloved is mine!" But by the time the Book ends she loves him because of what she can do for him! "My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies." Note the words I've capitalized and underlined.

She now is His too!

To me it seems that at the first of the Book it's all about "her."

But by the end of the Book she is so in love with him that everything centers on "his needs!" That life now revolves around others!

If so, that is growth!

Maturity!

Progress in life!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

What a lovely lesson for the poem of all poems! The song of all songs! About the Bridegroom of all Bridegrooms, for indeed the way this Groom is described ... only Jesus could be the complete Fulfillment of his character.

LESSON 24, ISAIAH:

Isaiah's first verse is typical for most Old Testament Prophets. "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." Isaiah 1:1

Notice he gives us his name, as a spokesman for Almighty God. Then a brief biographical note, His Father's name is listed. Next his subject is mentioned, his addressees. Judah is His Nation, Jerusalem its capital. Lastly he dates himself. He preached during the reigns of four Kings, all historical realities. Four generations really, a dynasty!

The Book of Isaiah is divided into two sections. Almost every student of the Material notices this. Chapters 1-39 discuss judgment. And chapters 40-66 talk about glory, the coming glory of God!

Chapters 1-39 focus mostly on Judah and her neighbors. While chapters 40-66 consider a wider vista, Israel and the world.

Uniquely, Isaiah inserts a four chapter "interlude," those being chapters 36-39. A historical recounting of several events in the life of godly King Hezekiah. Including the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian army! Followed by Hezekiah's approaching death, his sincere prayer to God, and the Lord's adding 15 more years to the King's life!

I like what one analyst says about Isaiah's final chapters, the 40-66 block. There the Prophet discusses the sure deliverance of God's people. And then the future of God's delivered people! Yes, he's truly a Prophet!

In fact, such a remarkable difference exists between chapters 1-39 and 40-66, both in content and writing style, that most contemporary professors of religion says the same man did not write it all! They've come up with a "dutero-Isaiah" figure! A second Isaiah!

Not so! There's not a "hint" of such in the Text. One man, one Holy Spirit, one message! It's just a "darker" message earlier (chapters 1-39), and a "brighter" message later (chapters 40-66). Truly, the more clearly the coming Messiah is seen ... the brighter the world becomes!

Also, though I can't comment on them, Isaiah shares with us four great Passages about the coming Servant of the Lord, about Jesus I believe. I've discussed some of this material elsewhere on the Website. The references, the paragraphs are: Isaiah 42:1-9. Then 49:1-13. Plus Isaiah 50:4-11. Then the classic, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Jesus as the lamb of God!

Isaiah, what a great Book!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 25, JEREMIAH:

Jeremiah is one of my favorite Books of the whole Bible. I love the man's character, his temperament, so very human! Plus, what Christian does not admire his faithfulness to the Lord, Jeremiah's determined steadiness in the face of difficult circumstances?

The Book contains 52 chapters, a total of 1,364 verses. Also, the Prophecy has an "expanding" vista, as far as its subjects are concerned. Chapters 1-45 preach against the little Country of Judah, her sins. Then chapters 45-51 talk about the other nations of the world, the "OAN" blocks of Scripture such are called. Meaning "Oracles Against the Nations!" That's because of Psalm 9:17 and other such verses: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Then finally Jeremiah ends, in chapter 52, with the "destruction" of Jerusalem, the "fall" of a nation ... because of her prolonged iniquities. A fearful and threatening finale.

And if it happened to that little group of Jewish people, God's judgment, surely it could happen to other nations as well. Including America!

The Book is about equally divided between accounts of the Prophet's Sermons ... and his experiences. Interesting reading! But everything here blends into a single message, God will chasten ... when His people continue in sin.

Additionally, the book of Jeremiah presents Jesus in a wonderful way. There our Lord is, either faintly or brightly, pictured as the "Fountain" of living water, Jeremiah 2:13. The Righteous Branch, Jeremiah 23:5. The Coming Shepherd, Jeremiah 31:10. And as the Lord, our Righteousness, a Name for God really, Jeremiah 23:6 and Jeremiah 33:16, twice! Plus He's the Redeemer in this amazing Book, Jeremiah 50:34. Word for word: "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."

Amen!

Surveying Jeremiah, which would take about 4 hours if you're an average reader, is well worth the time!

The Book is a theology text really.

Preaching mediated through human personality, Jeremiah being one of the most godly characters of Scripture.

A few months ago I preached from this Book, exclusively, for several weeks. Two or three Revival Meetings in a row! Never covering the same texts, either. Over my head in lovely spiritual truth!

The Bible indeed is a Library! And Jeremiah should be one of its most popular check-out items! Instead, I fear, it's on the less-often-used list.

Someone visiting here today now go start reading that Classic, the Book of Jeremiah! It sure beats "Gone with the Wind" by a thousand miles!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 26, LAMENTATIONS:

The Book of Lamentations owes its existence to the Prophet Jeremiah. Or so says its Title, "The Lamentations of Jeremiah."

The Book is indeed well named, being a series of five "lamentations," statements of sadness and grief, over the fall of Jerusalem, into the hands of the cruel Babylonians.

You can actually read the whole Book in about twenty minutes. All five chapters, all 154 verses.

This Material helps give Jeremiah his nick-name, the "weeping" Prophet. It flows from a broken heart, sorrowing over the plight of God's disciplined people.

The central Text in Lamentations, beyond doubt, is found in its middle chapter. "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Extolling God's Grace, this poem is superb, perhaps unequalled in all the Scripture!

Yes, God's "lovingkindness" is great! The underlined adjective being spelled "rab" in Hebrew, and superlatively meaning "many, much, more, multitude, captain, exceedingly."

If the sun "came up" this morning, and it did ... God's Faithfulness has again been displayed!

He is a GOOD God!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I think Lamentations too should "warn" us of the price to be paid for disobedience to God. If He is willing to judge Israel, even Judah, the "apple of His Eye," then He will surely judge all other nations who forget His Name!

Someone invest the half hour or less it takes to read Lamentations. Do so today. Watch God chasten ... in love. Observe a godly Prophet still trying to lead his people to repentance ... and comfort those who have already returned to their Heavenly Father.

LESSON 27, EZEKIEL:

Ezekiel is one of the most unique Prophets of them all. He both preaches his sermons, often eloquently so. But effectively "dramatizes" other messages from God! He actually, obeying Jehovah all the time, "acts out" various instructions from the Lord.

Statistically, his Book contains 48 chapters, a total of 1,273 verses, and takes around 4 hours to read. It's massive. One of the Bible's so-called "Major Prophets," in sheer bulk anyway.

One of the most outstanding features of this Prophecy is his last 9 chapters, being chapters 40-48. There he describes a Temple, a Jewish Temple. A no-doubt future Temple. One that is so large it cannot even fit into the geography of the Holy Land today, not as described by Ezekiel. The most literal of Bible interpreters think it's the "plans" for the coming Millennial Temple! After Jesus returns to earth! When our Saviour rules and reigns for a thousand glorious years!

That's right, the Jews have not been thrown onto God's trash heap! He has future plans for Israel, a saved Israel by then!

Ezekiel is also the man who preached to a valley full of dry, dead bones one day! And as he did, symbolically, those bones began to move and join together, making ultimately a resurrected body! Alive and breathing! A picture, we are told, of National Israel again. Who, though considered dead by many, have returned to their Land once more.

Jesus will truly some day, exactly as prophesied, be "King of the Jews."

Furthermore, Ezekiel is one of the most dedicated Prophets who ever lived. One evening his beautiful Wife died, of an apparent stroke. He no doubt, like any loving husband, needed to grieve. But God needed him next morning. His own words, "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." Ezekiel 24:18, God asked him to preach early the next day, and he did!

Wow!

If you ever want an enjoyable afternoon, lay aside the novel or the ballgame, and pick up your Bible. Read Ezekiel! You may never be the same again. He is a dynamic man of God!

Get to know him better, seriously.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 28, DANIEL:

Every time I write a new article surveying another Book of the Bible, I want to preach from its pages! And I really do plan to preach a few Sermons from Daniel, the Lord willing.

It's in some ways a rather little Book. But nonetheless, one that has had an extremely ponderous impact on Scriptural interpretation. Yes, only 12 chapters, a total of just 357 verses. And it only takes about an hour and 15 minutes to read it all.

Yet no Bible Preacher, when discussing prophecy, future events, can overlook Daniel's contribution, contributions really, to the subject.

Daniel divides itself into two lovely sections. A biographical section introduces the Book, chapters 1-6 being included. These stories are really "historical narratives." Then chapters 7-12 follow with a series of prophetic visions and at times, their interpretations.

One chart I saw says of Daniel 1-6, "convincing gentiles of God's Power." Then Daniel 7-12, "convincing Jews of God's Purpose." That's a pretty accurate view.

Chapters 1-6, Daniel interpreting the dreams of others. Chapters 7-12, angels interpreting Daniel's dreams!

The overarching theme of Daniel must be this: God is in control! He rules and directs in the affairs of men. None is above Him! And furthermore, God knows the end ... from the beginning! He clearly is, according to Daniel 2:47, the "Revealer of secrets."

And I might add that several lovely "pictures, symbols, types," of Jesus are embedded in Daniel. Jesus is the "Rock" in chapter 2. He is the "Son of Man" in chapter 7. And He is the "Messiah" who will be slain in chapter 9.

Oh, that we would invest some afternoons, or evenings before going to bed, or lunch hours ... reading these individual books of Scripture! How very instructive they are, spiritually profitable.

On that note I close today, now someone go read Daniel!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 29, HOSEA:

The Book introduces the "Minor Prophets" section of Scripture. Hosea's name means "salvation" or "deliverance." He is known as a "minor" prophet because his book is shorter. Less bulky in size, that's all. His content, his message is as "major" as any in Scripture.

The Book's 14 chapters, 197 verses, begin with a presentation of the prophet's home life. His wife is an "adulteress!" And instead of divorcing her, rejecting her, hating her ... God asks Hosea to pursue her! To find her and buy her out of slavery, to bring her home and love her back into faithfulness!

Then that very life experience became Hosea's greatest Message! God, too, has a wayfaring, backslidden, unfaithful Wife ... the Nation of Israel! But He also will pursue her and love her and bring her home! Forgiving her once she is "broken," once she repents!

Wow!

Hosea also presents Jesus in some lovely ways. Matthew's Gospel says Hosea 11:1 is speaking of Jesus when He was a child. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Remember, God brought Jesus out of Egypt, after King Herod was dead.

Further, Hosea promises: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." Hosea 13:14, clearly quoted by Paul and applied to Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:54. The resurrected Jesus, having indeed conquered death!

Hosea had a long ministry as well. By counting the years the kings reigned, the ones under whose days Hosea preached, we get at least fifty-five years of faithful service to God! "The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel." Hosea 1:1

And while Prophets like Isaiah and Micah, both contemporaries of Hosea, preached to the southern kingdom, to Judah, Hosea preached to the northern kingdom, to Israel herself.

This too, Hosea preached during one of Israel's times of greatest prosperity. Material wealth and plenty ... but such were sadly accompanied by spiritual poverty and ineptitude.

This great Prophet graphically exposes the sins of his people!

Hosea chapters 1-3 picture the man's personal life, his sorrows.

Hosea chapters 4-14 picture the man's preaching life, his sermons.

The little Book can be read in 30 minutes, less if you're above average. Someone do that today!

Your heart will be stirred.

Your soul will be fed.

Your spirit will be challenged.

And your God will be honored.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 30, JOEL:

The Book of Joel is special. It's a unique blend of sermons, prophecies and judgments, some past and others yet future.

It begins with a plague of locusts invading the Land of Judah, both a historical fact and a future promise. And each disaster being punishment for sin!

Then Joel's 3 chapters, consisting of 73 verses, begin to "morph" from desolation to exhortation, ultimately closing with words of restoration!

Truly in Joel, Psalm 30:5 is illustrated most fully. "For the Lord's anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Now let's look at Joel's last few verses, the ones predicting Israel's yet coming days of Kingdom Rule! "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. 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. 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. But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion." Joel 3:17-21, if taken literally, this is glorious! By the way, I do view it literally.

This paragraph is after Joel's graphic description of Armageddon! "I (the Lord) 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." Joel 3:2, watch our great God work!

Then: "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. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 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. 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. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. 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." Joel 3:9-16, a major passage supporting the "tribulation" portions of the Books of Zechariah and Revelation, under-girding them.

You can read Joel like a tract. An inspired one, of course!

Enjoy the few minutes it takes to mentally devour it. See the "flow" of the Prophet's thinking.

This little Minor Prophet, Joel, indeed gives us a clear statement of God's view of sin. And the final acts of world history. And the coming, the Second Coming, of Jesus to earth.

Enjoy!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 31, AMOS:

The Book of Amos is truly the work of a country preacher! His 9 chapters, his 146 verses, are filled with rural word pictures, a farmer called to preach!

When God called him to ministry, he wrote biographically: "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit." Amos 7:14

The layout of Amos is captivating too. He begins with a series of sermons, a litany of woes, against various nations (or city states) in the world surrounding Israel. He's a world-class preacher, Amos, in every sense of the word. In chapters 1 and 2, oracles against Damascus (Syria), Gaza, Tyre (Phoenecia), Edom, Ammon, and Moab.

Then in chapters 3 through 9 the Prophet "unloads his guns" on Judah and Israel, both! Naming sin after sin. What bold preaching. He was "unliked" in many places, too. "Invited to leave" in fact.

The only thing, Amos lacks clear-cut references to the Saviour, Messianic Promises, not like Micah or Isaiah or Daniel. Not that he is void of predictions about the coming "golden age" of Israel, the Millennium! But I'll show you that in a few seconds.

Amos also, very Prophet-like, in the line of men like Ezekiel and Zechariah, does use "visions" and "symbols" to present Truth. In chapters 7 and 8 and part of 9 he speaks of "locusts," and a "plumb-line," along with a "basket of summer fruit." Each of his "objects" preach to God's people the Jews.

Then comes the great section of Amos (his grand finale) about Jesus' coming Kingdom, the "Thy Kingdom come" part of the Lord's prayer! "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." Amos 9:11

Read more: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God." Amos 9:13-15, what manifold blessings await believing Israel!

Amos' very last words! There is no Amos 9:16. He ends his Book on a "high" note indeed!

What a bright, glorious way to do so.

Read Amos today. Folks, I am being strangely stirred again, within my heart, to preach Amos. Maybe a series of sermons from it, from him. Including his perhaps best-known statement of all: "Prepare to meet thy God." Amos 4:12

         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, it will only take you about 20-25 minutes to read the whole Book. A Prophecy filled with spiritual enlightenment.

LESSON 32, OBADIAH:

The little Book of Obadiah is the shortest in the whole Old Testament, having a total of only 21 verses. If I could express Obadiah's central message in just three words, here would be my choice, "God judges sin!"

The descendants of Esau, called the Edomites, had hated the people of Israel for generations. They came against the Jews time and time again. The scope of Obadiah covers these anti-semitic "sins," particularly those committed during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.

Probably the best summary verse in Obadiah is the simple statement: "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever." Verse 10 of Obadiah

Here's an overview of the Book: A prediction of Edom's coming judgment, verses 1-9. In which God's hatred of pride, that horrendous sin in His eyes, is named and catalogued.

Next, a denunciation of the Edomites, verses 10-14. In which the terrible, hateful deeds of the Edomites are mentioned. They did despise the Jewish people. Their actions prove that fact.

Then the fulfillment of God's promises, the consummation of that little nation, verses 15-21. In which Edom's destruction is pre-described word for word. And history now tells us it happened just like the Prophet said it would!

Furthermore, the Book ends, as do many of the Old Testament Prophets, with a bright note being sounded! Here's verse 21, "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S."

Yes, deliverance is always coming ... for God's people!

Amen.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 33, JONAH:

The Book of Jonah is perhaps the best-known of all the so-called "Minor Prophets," all nestled together at the end of the Old Testament. There are 12 of them, often simply named "The Book of the Twelve."

Jonah only has 4 chapters, just 48 verses. And it can be read in 8 minutes, or less. Yet it presents a profound truth. It's central truth is symbolical, though we believe the whole Book is historical, factual. Jonah's "belly of the whale" incident portrays the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord! That's the ultimate Beauty of the Book.

Listen to Jesus prove my point: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40

Wow!

Still, Jonah's chapters are beautifully written and easily analyzed, especially when compared to other portions of Scripture. Even other Prophets.

In Jonah chapter 1 the Prophet is clearly running "from" God. By chapter 2 he has been swallowed by a great fish and is praying, running "to" God! In chapter 3 the man is running "with" God, preaching to the wicked people of Nineveh. But in chapter 4 he is upset and actually running "against" God, throwing a little temper tantrum! Upset over God's display of Mercy!

Someone more succinctly said that in chapter 1 Jonah was "protesting." In chapter 2 he was "praying." By chapter 3 he is "preaching." And in chapter 4 he is "pouting!"

A more positive view has Jonah in chapter 1 "disobeying." In chapter 2, he's "worshipping." In chapter 3, the Prophet is finally "obeying." And in chapter 4, optimistically, the man is "learning!"

One more summary statement. In chapter 1 Jonah is in the "ship." By chapter 2 he is in the "fish." Chapter 3 finds him in the "city." And chapter 4 ends with him in the "suburbs!"

God can be seen 4 ways in Jonah too. In Jonah 1 God "commissions" His Preacher. In chapter 2 God "hears" the Prophet's prayers. In chapter 3 God "spares" a repenting city! And in chapter 4 God "reproves" a stubborn preacher!

In the Book's first two chapters the key figure is Jonah himself, of course. But in the last two chapters the focus is Nineveh, her people.

Jonah, read it today.

God, through His Holy Spirit, the real Author of the Book anyway, will teach you much Truth!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 34, MICAH:

Micah is his name, meaning a man "who is like God." He is Jewish, of course. And the writer of a Book of Scripture, the one that bears his name. Yes, Micah is an Old Testament minor Prophet, containing only 7 chapters, a mere 105 verses in all!

But it's a powerful little prophecy! As do most all the prophets, he begins by denouncing sin and forecasting judgment. But by the time the Book has reached its conclusion, Grace dominates the scene!

Problematically the Book lists a number of things we can do "socially" to be right with God. But this is not a so-called "social gospel." If a person loves God rightly ... he or she will also respect his neighbor as well! God's Law always has presented both vertical and horizontal obligations and duties.

One of the highlights of the Book of Micah is the lovely way it predicts the place of the Messiah's Birth, where our Lord would be (and now has been) Virgin born! "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Yes, that's Jesus for sure, Micah 5:2.

He that is to be Ruler in Israel!

Whose goings forth have been of old, of eternity!

He who will come out of the womb at Bethlehem!

A Baby ... yet a King?

Yes, but tell us more, Micah. "I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. The Breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them." Micah 2:12-13, the Lord Jesus, the Leader indeed!

Then this longer paragraph! "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. 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. 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. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." Wow, Micah 4:1-8, sounds like Isaiah.

Then one more, Micah 5:4-5. "And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men." This great "He" is our Lord Jesus, friends.

The Victor!

And if you want to read about Grace and forgiveness, get this! "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19, taken from his final paragraph.

Thanks, Micah, for this lovely time of meditation centered on our dear Lord Jesus Christ.

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, you can read Micah today is just under twenty minutes. Someone do just that!

LESSON 35, NAHUM:

There are twelve little Books at the end of the Old Testament, most often called the "Minor Prophets." One of these is "Nahum." With only 3 chapters, 47 verses in all, the Book can be read in just 7 or 8 minutes!

Nahum's name means "comfort!" See the word in "Capernaum," for example, one of the cities where Jesus lived.

"Consolation," Nahum the Prophet! Yet He preaches judgment to the Gentiles. But that alone might be comfort to the Jews!

I've often said that Nahum was authorized to preach the Sermon Jonah wanted to bring! That Jonah was first commissioned to proclaim, in fact! But Nineveh experienced a measure of Revival in Jonah's day. And God spared that Nation, Assyria, for another 150 years or so!

God's "timing" is perfect.

Nahum's message of doom, precise and written years prior to the events occurring historically, is another proof of the accuracy of the Word of God. The Bible contains prophecy as well as doctrine!

No one believed Nahum, Nineveh being at that time the most powerful City on earth. Assyria the greatest nation too. With defensive walls 100 feet high and extremely wide as well ... the City could withstand (it was said) a 20 year siege. But it "fell," just like Nahum predicted, in one night!

Yes, in the year 612 BC Babylon overran Assyria ... and Nineveh the indestructible has never been rebuilt!

Here's a good sample of Nahum's preaching, maybe his "key" verse: "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Amen!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 36, HABAKKUK:

The Book of Habakkuk is amazing, though only 3 chapters long. Let me say first of all that choosing his "key" verse is relatively easy. "The just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4, which is quoted in the New Testament 3 times by the Apostle Paul!

Watch, I think this is thrilling:

In Romans 1:17 the emphasis is on "THE JUST living by faith!"

In Galatians 3:11 the emphasis is on "the just LIVING by faith."

Then in Hebrews 10:38 the emphasis is on "the just living BY FAITH!"

Yes, I would call Habakkuk 2:4 a "key" verse in all of Scripture, at least one of them. And that's among 31,102 total verses.

Habakkuk is the Prophet with questions. In chapter 1 he asks God about the unpunished "evil" he sees everywhere. In chapter 2 he awaits the Lord's answer. In chapter 3, after a vision of the Glory of God, he bursts into sincere praise and adoration.

And through all his "wrestling," his honest questions and deep thoughts, Habakkuk literally grows stronger in his relationship to God!

Even to this point, that no matter what happens, Habakkuk will serve the Lord, his Lord, our Lord! Let's listen: "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. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 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." Habakkuk 3:17-19, his last verses.

Wow!

He starts his Book perplexed.

He ends his book, "singing!" His very last sentence: "To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

If you need a Book of encouragement during hard times ... read Habakkuk! You can do that in 9 minutes or less!

If you have unanswerable questions, do the same.

What a journey you'll be taking!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 37, ZEPHANIAH:

The Old Testament Book of Zephaniah is truly one of the little-known "treasures" of the Bible. Its 3 chapters, only 53 verses, are divinely inspired, Holy Scripture written without error.

One Bible analyst says the first section of Zephaniah highlights "judgment and doom." While the last section centers on "joy and deliverance!" That's an accurate assessment.

The Book uses the expression "the Day of the Lord" four times! Well, one of those times it's "the great Day of the Lord." This epoch of time is one of judgment. God's dealing with a rebellious earth and its inhabitants.

Again Zephaniah may be said to talk about ... judgment against Judah, God's people. The the Prophet then switches to a discussion of judgment against the nations of the world. Then ... judgment and salvation for Judah!

Here's a verse giving the typical "mood" of Zephaniah, "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." Zephaniah 1:14

But God does in those dark days still have a "remnant" of faithful followers. "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." Zephaniah 2:3

Then Zephaniah ends with some "good news." Our Lord is coming back again ... to earth! And when He does ... "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 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." Zephaniah 3:14-15, King Jesus!

The final answer every Prophet acknowledges is God's glorious intervention in world history, in the affairs of State! The Second Coming of our Saviour!

Here's Zephaniah's last verse, wonderful encouragement for Israel, "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."

Amen!

As usual, let me challenge someone to read Zephaniah. And then study that little jewel of Bible prophecy. Such would be a rewarding experience indeed.

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 38, HAGGAI:

Haggai is an Old Testament Prophet. He wrote a Book of the Bible that still bears his name. A Book divinely inspired of the Holy Spirit of God. With only 2 chapters, just 38 verses, a mere 1,131 words ... Haggai is the second shortest Book of the Old Testament. Only Obadiah is shorter.

To me Haggai has one main theme. Encouraging the Jews to rebuild the Temple! After their return from the Babylonian Captivity. Somewhere around 520 BC, we think.

Read with me his first verse: "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 ...." Yes, this is God-written, for sure!

Haggai shames the Jews for living in nice homes of their own ... while God's House was in disrepair. Listen to the Jews, Haggai's second verse: "This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." Wow!

Wrong, God wants a building program to start. The reconstruction of the Temple. A place for the Jews to worship Him! Solomon's Temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar decades earlier.

God is talking, really asking, through Haggai: "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house (the Temple) lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways." Haggai 1:3-4

God used Haggai's incitement, and soon the House of the Lord is under construction. Here's verse 14 of chapter 1: "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."

Amen!

The Book of Haggai in total contains four of the Prophet's (short) Sermons! Each is quite interesting.

One more thing. This Temple is much smaller and less glorious than its predecessor. Solomon built everything in such amazing grandeur! And some of the Jews lamented the mediocrity of their current Building. But again Haggai is an encouragement. "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?" Haggai 2:3, the old men were sad!

But ... Haggai encourages ... better days are coming! "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." Haggai 2:9

Wow!

How can this be?

When can this be?

Jesus is coming again!

Yes, the Lord will return from Heaven!

Then ... His Glory will radiate a Jewish Temple!

A millennial Temple!

And what does Haggai call Jesus?

"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; 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." Haggai 2:6-7

Jesus, "the Desire of all Nations."

Amen!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Brighter days really are ahead, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

LESSON 39, ZECHARIAH:

It's a true apocalypse!

The Old Testament Book of Zechariah.

Fourteen chapters, divinely inspired.

Only 211 verses, total!

Beginning with a call to repentance to the Jewish people, "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. 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," Zechariah continues by using a series of visions about the latter days.

Each of his "word pictures" teaches a lesson about Israel, about forgiveness of sins, about the work of God in days ahead. Here are a couple of samples, King James Version: "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. 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. And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. 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." Zechariah 1:18-21, four horns and four carpenters!

Someone analytically said that Zechariah consists of eight visions and four sermons, and then the Lord's Second Coming to earth! That's a pretty good summary.

Zechariah also is beautifully "heavy" with references to the Messiah, to our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Book Jesus is "the Angel of the Lord" in Zechariah 3:1-2. And "the Righteous Branch" in Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12-13. Plus "the King-Priest," in Zechariah 6:13, "a priest upon his throne." Then the "Cornerstone, the Nail, and the battle Bow," in Zechariah 10:4. The One sold for "thirty pieces of silver" in 11:12. He's the "Pierced One" in Zechariah 12:10. And the coming "Judge" in Zechariah 14.

Wow!

What a Book!

Yet how little known it is, how neglected.

It will take a person around 40 minutes to read the entire Book, all of Zechariah. Then you will know personally its beauties and truths and applications.

May I encourage one of you, from among our readers, to do so soon? I plan to read it myself, again. And then preach a few Sermons from this next-to-last Book of the Old Testament.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 40, MALACHI:

It's the last Book in the Old Testament, Malachi, with just 4 chapters. Only 55 verses, if I've counted correctly. And this little Prophet, whose name means "My Messenger," (undoubtedly one of God's Spokesmen) is quite a little preacher. And he served the Lord in some dark times, too.

Chapter 1 presents a backslidden people, complaining against the Lord. And God, through Malachi, rebukes their hypocrisy!

Chapter 2 is almost a sermon to the priests, God's servants, of that day long ago. They had gradually forgotten the Word of God, the Law of the Lord.

Chapter 3 continues the general theme of rebuke for insincere faith, beginning with a "foreshadowing" of the coming ministry of John the Baptist. But all is not dark. God still has a few who serve Him, who have remained faithful. A "remnant!" Listen to the last three verses of the chapter: "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. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them."

And Malachi chapter 4 is perhaps the sweetest of all. Here we get a glimpse of Jesus! Clearly so. Our dear Saviour is poetically called "The Sun of Righteousness!" (Remember that Psalm 19 also likens Jesus the Son of God to the physical sun we observe every day.) Malachi has Jesus coming, "rising like the sun, with healing in His Wings!" The "wings" are the rays of the morning sunrise. Word for word, Malachi 4:2 ... "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings."

Amen!

One writer says the book of Malachi begins with "questions and answers." But ends with "invitations and warnings." Another says the Book swings from "love" to "rebuke" to "hope!"

This is an interesting Portion of Scripture, folks. And worthy of study. It is very "preachable" in these skeptical days of ours, too.

Someone should make it a project to "master" this little specimen of genius  in our Bible. Read it and re-read it. Pray over it. Apply it to your life. Heed its cautions. Worship its Lord!

And it, like all the Word of God, will transform you "more and more" into His Image, into the mature state every Christian craves.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 41, CONCLUSION, AN OVERVIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT:

The Old Testament is the inspired Word of God, equally as much as the New Testament. Furthermore, it is such a beautiful compilation of various forms of writing. Called Holy Writ, in fact!

The first five Books, Genesis through Deuteronomy, all written by Moses, are Books of Law. Godly legislation, teaching mankind how to live pleasing to the Lord.

The next twelve Books, from Joshua through Esther, are Books of History. The annals of the Jewish people, how God has directed their development.

Then five Books of Poetry are placed in God's "Library." Job and Psalms plus Proverbs, then Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Wisdom, praise and worship, in the sight of God!

Then come the Prophets! First are five "Major Prophets" I should say, Isaiah through Daniel. Both predicting (fore-telling) and preaching (forth-telling) God's Message to humanity, they are all mighty Men of God.

Lastly are twelve more, "Minor Prophets," smaller Books of Sermons. These include Hosea through Malachi. Neglected pieces of Literature, but mighty in power when read, studied and preached.

The total Old Testament has 929 chapters. And the whole Bible only contains 1,189 chapters. So the first Division of our Holy Scripture (Old Testament) comprises 78% of the entire Book!

Wow!

Folks, do not neglect that precious (majority) of God's Word!

Yes, the New Testament's 260 chapters are vital.

But not to the exclusion of the Old Testament!

Study away!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell