Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth".
God is our enabler.
1:9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "I have put my words in your mouth".
God is our enabler.
2:3 Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the LORD.
Israel are described as firstfruits. God's chosen people wasn't limited to just Israelites, rather they were first to be chosen.
2:3 Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the LORD.
Israel are described as firstfruits. God's chosen people wasn't limited to just Israelites, rather they were first to be chosen.
3:19 "I myself said, 'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me."
God is speaking using human reasoning – I thought you would call me Father. God is a good Father but the Israelites were rebellious children who wanted their own way.
3:19 "I myself said, 'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me."
God is speaking using human reasoning – I thought you would call me Father. God is a good Father but the Israelites were rebellious children who wanted their own way.
4:1-2 “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast.”
Israel was suppose invoke blessings for the nations. The nations would seek God because of Israel (like Rahab did). This was an incentive for Israel to seek the Lord – but they did not.
4:1-2 “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast.”
Israel was suppose invoke blessings for the nations. The nations would seek God because of Israel (like Rahab did). This was an incentive for Israel to seek the Lord – but they did not.
5:34 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
The leaders, that is the prophets and priests, were corrupt but God's people 'love it this way'. Today people are happy to cave into church leadership, even when they don't have God's purposes in mind.
5:34 The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
The leaders, that is the prophets and priests, were corrupt but God's people 'love it this way'. Today people are happy to cave into church leadership, even when they don't have God's purposes in mind.