repentance and the 7.15.07 SS lesson

SS Lesson for July 15, 2007

Accept the Invitation, Zech. 1:1-3

1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

Zechariah, - “the Lord Remembers”

the son of Berechiah, - “the Lord Blesses”

the son of Iddo – “at the set time”

At the set time, the Lord will bless because the Lord remembers!

The condition for their receiving divine blessing was not simply to resume building the temple, but to return to Him—not just to the Lord’s Law or to His ways but to the Lord Himself. Their repentance two months before (cf. Hag. 1:12-15)[1] apparently involved an incomplete commitment, resulting in delay in rebuilding the temple. Now a complete return to the Lord would bring divine blessing, expressed by the words, I will return to you.

Notice the beauty of repentance,

Turn to me (repent)

And

I will turn to you, 1:3

Look at the word study on page 80 of the leaders guide

James 4:6-10

“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Avoid the Judgment, 1:4-6

God brings preachers into our life in order to teach us and warn us (earlier prophets).

1:4 Do not be like your sinning examples before you;

They refused to listen, turn, and obey

They were evil in their heart

They did evil things

1:5 What did I do to them? Have you so soon forgotten?

1:6       It is God’s word that confronts us with our sin;

It is God’s word that is our standard of righteousness

It is God’s word that commands us to repent from ourselves, and turn towards God and His ways!

Acclaim the protection, 2:7-9

2:7       Zion was the people who refused to come out of Babylonian bondage, and thus were warned that they to would be judged with the Babylonians.

Is it any different when God calls Christians to leave the world and be ye separate?

2:8       Who is the “me” in 2:8?

The apple of the eye was the pupil, the most sensitive and vulnerable part of the eye.

The pupil therefore needs constant protection.

What does this say when it refers to us as God’s children?

2:9       God states that those who move against His righteous remnant would be shaken or wiped out by His hand.

How does this affect your outlook on life when people come against you as God’s child?

Anticipate the joy, 2:10-13

2:10                 Worship of God draws Him to us!

2:11-13            The biblical formula to revival?

Repentance

Worship

Respect for God’s Word

Obedience

Holy Fear of God

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[1] 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD. 13 Then spake Haggai the LORD’S messenger in the LORD’S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. 14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.