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: 3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
God graciously offers the invitation to his people to return to him, not to a set of rules but to a relationship.
God takes the initiative and issues the invitation, but waits to see our response.
1: 3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
God graciously offers the invitation to his people to return to him, not to a set of rules but to a relationship.
God takes the initiative and issues the invitation, but waits to see our response.
2:8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.”
The expression “apple of my eye” refers to something or someone most cherished.
God's people are the apple of his eye. We are most cherished. God also declares that he will live among us (2:10) and we will his people (2:11). God's desire is to be in close relationship with his cherished people.
2:8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.”
The expression “apple of my eye” refers to something or someone most cherished.
God's people are the apple of his eye. We are most cherished. God also declares that he will live among us (2:10) and we will his people (2:11). God's desire is to be in close relationship with his cherished people.
3:9 “See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”
“I will remove the sin of this land in a single day” – what an amazing prophecy that was fulfilled at Calvary. God removed our sin rather than remove his Presence. He dealt with our sin in a single day. Yet we need to let it go through confession and repentance.
3:9 “See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”
“I will remove the sin of this land in a single day” – what an amazing prophecy that was fulfilled at Calvary. God removed our sin rather than remove his Presence. He dealt with our sin in a single day. Yet we need to let it go through confession and repentance.
4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
The “capstone” is a small stone compared to the whole building but it is hugely important as it is foundational to the rest of the work.
“Seven eyes of the Lord” speaks of fullness, abundance. God is fully aware of all that goes on in the world. He sees the small things people do because they are his. We should not despise these small things because they are important. If we are faithful in the small God will bless us with much.
4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
The “capstone” is a small stone compared to the whole building but it is hugely important as it is foundational to the rest of the work.
“Seven eyes of the Lord” speaks of fullness, abundance. God is fully aware of all that goes on in the world. He sees the small things people do because they are his. We should not despise these small things because they are important. If we are faithful in the small God will bless us with much.
5:4 The Lord Almighty declares, “I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.”
God knows what goes on in our homes and in our personal lives. He knows who we are when no one is looking and he is determined to purify us.
5:4 The Lord Almighty declares, “I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name. It will remain in that house and destroy it completely, both its timbers and its stones.”
God knows what goes on in our homes and in our personal lives. He knows who we are when no one is looking and he is determined to purify us.