Scripture: Neh 1:1-2:8, 6:15-16; 13:10-22

Symbol: Broken Wall

Nehemiah was chosen by God to continue the rebuilding of His city, of Jerusalem.  This was an important part of God's plan to bring the Messiah in the fullness of time (Daniel 9:25 is the prophecy regarding this.  If you are interested in learning more about this prophecy visit http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/weeks.htm)

It was during the captivity of Israel under the Babylonian empire that Nehemiah asked the king for permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  Because of God's favor upon Nehemiah, the king granted the permission.  A small group of people returned to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the wall.  In this condition the Jews were to remain until the coming of Christ: in their own land, but under the yoke of foreigners, without His presence in their midst (His presence as manifested in the temple and the ark of the covenant).  Yet, God preserved and cared for His people even while they lived under the judgment of their sin.  Because of their adultery there was a necessary separation between the Jews and God, but God promises that someday He will bring them back to Himself - but that time would be long in coming.  After the rebuilding of the wall, the Israelites continued to liv in their own land but UNDER the rule of pagan kings (Babylon/Assyria), the Greeks, and eventually, the Romans.  During this time we do not know of any prophets that God sent to them!  It was 400 years of silence, of waiting . . . they may have wondered if God had rejected them once and for all. 

Discussion Questions

• Compare Nehemiah 1:1 and 2:1.  How long did Nehemiah fast and pray before approaching the king?   (Note, Chivez = Kislev)  See the Jewish months here: http://www.akhlah.com/aleph_bet/hebrew_worksheets/hebrew_months.php
• Why does Nehemiah say the king granted him favor?
• In how many days was the wall completed? (6:15)  What did this do to those who opposed Nehemiah and the Jews?
• Nehemiah was not finished with his task when the wall was completed.  What other steps to "repair the city" did he take in chapter 13? 

Scripture: Esther 3-5

Symbol: Star of David 

Why is Esther a significant part of our "Jesse Tree" story?  Was she also in the "family tree" of the Messiah?  Did she prophesy of his coming?  Was she a "figure" of Christ?

You may have answered no to all of these, and you would be right.  But what then?  Think of this . . . if the Jewish people were to be annihilated there would be no stump of Jesse, no line of Judah, no son of David, no Messiah.

In the time of Esther, Israel's former days of glory had come to an end.  The days of the victorious King David; the great, wise and wealthy King Solomon had long been past.  Israel had turned against God, and now God had removed His hand of protection.  Babylon came in and seized their land and their people - they were captives in a foreign land.  A few years after Queen Esther courageously preserved her people, would begin the 4 centuries of waiting, between the Old Testament (Malachi) and the New Testament (the Advent of Christ).

Discussion Questions

1. What was Mordecai confident of regarding the salvation of the Jews when he exhorts Esther to go to the King? (4:14a)
2. What was the second thing Mordecai was confident of regarding Esther?  (4:14b)
3. What was Esther's response? (4:16)
4. Who else took part of God's plan to deliver the Jews?  How? (4:16,17)

Scripture: Hab 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19

Symbol: Stone Watchtower

Once again we see God raising up a prophet to warn His people of the impending disaster they bring upon themselves by their sin.  God is holy, says Habakkuk, and He is too pure to look upon evil.  He prophesied sometime before the fall of Judah to Babylon, somewhere between 640-598 BC.  In this book he struggles with the fact that there is great wickedness and sin that so often seems like God ignores.  But here, God assures him that righteousness and judgment will come in due time.  The last chapter of Habakkuk is a glorious prayer of one who anticipates the coming of His Savior in full glory, splendor, power, victory, righteousness.  This Savior would judge the earth, crushing the head of the wicked. He would go out for the salvation of His people!  Let us, with Habakkuk, await the coming of our Savior, Redeemer, and King with fear and trembling, but yet with great anticipation and peace, knowing our God comes yes, in great wrath, and with judgment, but He also comes for the salvation of us, His anointed!

Discussion Questions

1. How does Paul, in Acts 13:38-41, apply Habakkuk 1:5 to the Jews of his day?
2. Read Hebrews 10:35-39 and compare to Habakkuk 2:3,4.  What (who) is the "it" that Habakkuk refers to?  The Messiah came once, in the "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4).  As Habakkuk awaited the first coming of the Messiah, we await the second coming.  What does the passage you read in Hebrews encourage us to do while we wait?
3. Do you ever feel discouraged when you see the wicked "get away" with their actions and prosper while the righteous struggle and suffer?  What does God reassure us of in Habakkuk 2:3 and 1:5?

Scripture: Jeremiah 1, 8, 9, 20:7-18

Symbol: Tears

More than a hundred years after the time of prophets Isaiah and Micah, God appointed Jeremiah to confront Judah and Jerusalem for the worship of idols and for defiling their covenant with Him.  After a reluctant beginning to his ministry, Jeremiah endured beating, imprisonment, opposition from family and strangers alike, was even thrown into a well!  But God was faithful to His servant - how ironic that it was the pagan Babylonians who gave him kindness and his freedom.  Jeremiah died without seeing the people who loved, prayed for, wept over turn back to God.

Discussion Questions

1. Describe Jeremiah's attitude towards God's call in his life (Jeremiah 1:4-9).  What does God warn him about in 1:19?
2. Read Jeremiah 9:1 - Describe Jeremiah's attitude towards his people.
3. Jeremiah experienced times where he may have questioned his call, even his life.  Comment on Jeremiah 20:7-18.  Summarize what he was going through (circumstantially, emotionally). Have you gone through similar circumstances?
4. Jeremiah 23:5-6 - What prophecy is written here and how is it (being) fulfilled?

Scripture: Micah 4- 5:4

Symbol: Silhouette of City with a Star

Micah lived around the same time as Isaiah, and was called by God to exhort Judah to holiness and justice in her covenant relationship with God.  Micah 6:8 says this - "He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."    He also warned the Israelites of their coming exile to Babylon (as a result of their sin) and the coming Ruler who would deliver them.  The book comes to a close with these beautiful words, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy . . . You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago . . ."  In spite of the unfaithfulness of His children, God will be merciful.  Just, yes, but merciful - He is the God who remembers His covenant.  His faithfulness continues to all generations!

Discussion Questions

1. Where does Micah 5:2 say the promised ruler would be born?
2. Read Micah 4:2 - Who does Micah prophesy will come to the house of God?
3. Read Micah 4:12 and 5:4- Micah is prophesying about the captivity the Israelites will endure at the hand of the Babylonians.  For a brief moment it will seem that the world (Satan) has won - but how does God respond?  When we face times of discouragement, destruction and captivity as we await the coming of our King, what truths must we hold onto?

Scripture: Isaiah 11, 12

Symbol: Lion & Lamb

Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of 3 kings of Judah, and for a total of more than 40 years.  God gave to Isaiah many specific prophecies regarding the Messiah, but we want to look today at chapters 11 and 12, which speak, not only of the first coming of the Messiah but also His second coming.  These prophecies were not just for this who lived B.C. but much more for us.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Read Isaiah 65:17-25 and compare with Revelation 7:17 and 21:1,2
2. 2 Peter 3:13,14 - What should our attitude be as we await the coming of Christ?  What should we be striving to do?
3. Who is the "signal" in Isaiah 11:10 and who will come to Him?

Day 12

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7

Symbol: Crown

"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?" 

Discussion Questions

1. What does verse 8 say about where David came from?  Do you think anything in his background, experience, mental or physical state recommended him to the position God placed him? Why do you think God chose David? (See Acts 13:22)
2. What did David want to do for God?  What did God want to do for him?
3. Read Luke 1:30-33.Who was David's Son whose kingdom would endure forever?
4. What was David's response to God's big plan for him? (See verses 18-29)

Day 11

Scripture: Ruth 1-4

Symbol: Sheaves of wheat

The Moabites were descendents of Lot (Genesis 19:36,37), worshippers of Baal Peor, had led the Israelites astray, and centuries after Ruth lived, Isaiah prophesied that Moab would be completely annihilated because of their wickedness and pride.   Yet God brought out of this pagan tribe one woman who would leave all that was familiar - her family, her language, her culture, her country, her religion - and choose loyalty to an Israelite woman, her mother-in-law, nonetheless, and to the God of the Israelites. 

". . . Ruth's story occurred during the time of the judges - a period of disobedience, idolatry, and violence.  Even in times of crisis and deepest despair, there are those who follow God and through whom God works.  No matter how discouraging or antagonistic the world may seem, there are always people who follow God.  He will use anyone who is open to him to achieve his purposes.  Ruth was a Moabitess and Boaz was a descendent of Rahab, a former prostitute from Jericho.  Nevertheless, their offspring continued the family line through which the Messiah came into our world . . ."  (Introduction to Ruth, NIV Study Bible)

Before we leave the story of Ruth, let's take a minute to look at Boaz.  In Boaz, we see a foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.  Ruth could do nothing to change her circumstances, just as we are helpless to change our circumstances (Romans 5:6) apart from Christ.  When Boaz paid the complete price (Ruth 4:9) for Ruth, her circumstances changed, just as Christ's full payment for our salvation sets us free.  (1 Corinthians 6:20, Galatians 3:13)

Discussion Questions

1. When Ruth remained loyal to her mother-in-law, who else did she remain loyal to? (1:16)
2. Describe what kind of woman Naomi may have been, keeping in mind that it was her who Ruth loyally followed, loved and served. 
3. How did Ruth help provide for her mother in law? See how God provided for widows and other disadvantaged people in Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19
4. Why was Boaz kind to Ruth?  Read 2:10-12
5. Describe the characters of Boaz and Ruth.  What do you admire most about them?
6. Compare Ruth 4:10,17,22 to Matthew 1:5,16

Day 9

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24, 6:15-25

Symbol: Red cord

A Gentile, a Canaanite, a worshipper of dozens of false gods, follower of a religion which practiced child sacrifice (Deut 12:31) and sorcery (Deut 18:9,10), and a prostitute.  When she heard of the God of Israel, how could she not be afraid?  She said her "heart melted and no courage remains" because she knew that the Lord God of Israel was the true God, of heaven and earth.  How could she stand before such a God?  How could she dare to hope for redemption?  And yet . . . she dared to believe this God and put herself at His mercy.  When she tied that scarlet cord to her window she believed that God would save her.  This cord, like the blood of the Passover lamb, gave salvation to her and her family when Joshua and the people of Israel carried out God's judgment on Jericho.  Could she have ever imagined that God would forgive her, save her, redeem her from her past - and give her an inheritance far more precious than words - of her lineage the Messiah would come to save not only Israel but people like herself.  Gentiles. Foreigners. Worshippers of false gods.  Sinners. 

How beautiful is the grace of God which embraces the broken, the weak, the dirty, the outcast. How beautiful is the love of God which redeems those who are enslaved to sin, and cleanses them in His own blood that they may be made new - pure and white as snow!  And old hymn speaks beautifully of this marvelous grace -

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Rahab protect the two spies? 
2. What agreement (covenant) was made between Rahab and the spies?  What instructions did they give her?
3. What might the scarlet cord symbolize?
4. Read Matthew 1:5,6.  Who was Rahab's son and who did he marry? 
5. Read Hebrews 11:31. Why was Rahab saved?  Compare to James 2:15-26.  How are you saved?  Read James 2:26 once more and ask yourself this question - is my faith living or dead?

Day 9

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13,21-28; 13:1,2

Symbol: Lamb

"The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are.  And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.  This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statue forever, you shall keep it as a feast."  Exodus 12:13,14

John the Baptist prophesied about Jesus, that He was the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."  (John 1:36)  Jesus was to be our Passover Lamb.  He would be sacrificed that His blood might cover us, cleanse us, that at Judgment Day His blood might vouch for us.  As the Israelites celebrated the Passover year after year in remembrance of God saving them from judgment (death of the first born) as well as from the bondage of Egypt, they also awaited the coming of the Lamb who would save them from judgment of their sins and the bondage of their sins.  (1 John 1:7)

Discussion Questions

1. Compare and contrast
     12:5 - Lamb without blemish, a male (1 Peter 1:18,l9)
     12:7 - The blood of the lamb to save the household (1 Peter 1:18,19)
     12:46b - No bones to be broken (John 19:33-36)
     12:10 - Nothing shall remain of it in the morning (John 20:1-8)
2. Read and comment on 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 9:14

Day 8 

Scripture: Exodus 19:16-25, 20:1-21

Symbol: 2 stone tablets

As we look at our story today we want to look at two different aspects.  The first is Moses himself.  In many ways, Moses was a type of Jesus Christ as intercessor, deliverer and redeemer.  Moses himself prophesied of Jesus Christ as being a prophet like himself.  "I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him." Deut. 18:18.

The second aspect we want to look at is God giving the 10 Commandments.  Galatians 3 tells us that the law was ordained until the prophesied seed would come, for the purpose of leading us to Christ so that we would be justified by faith.   The Law was preparing the way for Jesus Christ, who would fulfill the law!

Discussion Questions

1.       What did Moses specify that the coming Prophet would do? How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy?  See John 17:8, John 8:28 and John 12:49-50.

2.       Describe the physical atmosphere before, during and after God gave the 10 commandments to Moses.   Describe the emotional atmosphere. 

3.       Jeremiah 31:31-35 gives a prophecy regarding a new covenant that was to come. What was it?  Where is the law written now?

4.       Given what we have learned up until now through our study of the Jesse Tree, and drawing from what you know of biblical prophecies, how do you think Jesus fulfilled the law, as he said in Matthew 5:17?

Day 7

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

Symbol: Breastplate with 12 Stones

Aaron and Moses' grandfather was Levi, the son of Jacob.  The Messiah was not to come of the lineage of Levi, but we see in their lives a very important foreshadowing of Christ.  Today we will look at the life of Aaron.

When God called Moses to be His mouthpiece, Moses told God, "I'm not eloquent enough; I've never been able to speak well!  Even You, the Sovereign God, can't teach or use me! Choose someone else!"  And so, angered by this man who dared to challenge Him, God agreed and chose Aaron to speak to His people. 

From a human perspective it seems that Aaron was an afterthought, a result of Moses' folly.  But this Aaron was to be the first high priest, who symbolically wore a breastplate with twelve precious stones embedded on it, representing those whom he represented: the 12 tribes of Israel.  He would enter the Holy of Holies annually to intercede with God on behalf of the Israelites.  He would be the one to sacrifice the scapegoat, the lamb, who would atone for the sins of the Israelites.  And through fulfilling his calling, he would be the one to point to the coming Messiah, the true High Priest who once and for all atone for the sins of the world through offering Himself as the sacrifice.  The High Priest who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, having been a man like us, and now intercedes for us.   Aaron was a part of God's plan to prepare the way for the Messiah!

Discussion Questions

1. What fear does Moses express in Exodus 4:10-13?
2. How does God help him? Exodus 4:14-17
3. What position did God give Aaron in Exodus 28:1-4?
4. Read Hebrews 5:1-4.  What was the High Priest's main responsibility?
5. Read Hebrews 5:7-10, 7:23-27.  What kind of priest is Jesus? 

Day 6

Scripture: Genesis 37, 39:1-50:21

Symbol: Coat of Many Colors

In Jewish tradition it is said that Jesus is the son of Joseph, as well as David.  As King David's rule brought glory and peace to the land, so would the Messiah. But as Joseph was mocked, left for dead, shamed at the hands of his brothers before God exalted him, so the Messiah would also suffer.

Contrast and Compare

Take at least four of the Old Testament passages and compare them to the New Testament passages. 

Beloved Son.  Genesis 37:3, 39:2-4 and Matthew 3:17

Rejected by Family. Genesis 37:5-8 and Matthew 13:53-58

Brothers Plot to Kill Him. Genesis 37:18-19 and Matthew 26:3,4

Sold for Silver. Genesis 37:26-28 and Matthew 26:14-16 (also see the prophecy in Zechariah 11:13)

Falsely Accused. Genesis 39: 17-20 and Matthew 26:3-5

Unrecognized. Genesis 42: 8 and John 1:11

Reconciliation. Genesis 45:1-5,14 and Zechariah 12:10-12

God's Sovereign Plan. Genesis 50:18-20 and Acts 2:23

Exalted.  Genesis 41:38-43 and Philippians 2:8-11

Supplier of our Needs. Genesis 41:56 and Philippians 4:19

Day 1

Symbol: Apple
Scripture: Genesis 2:4 - 3:24

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."  Genesis 3:15

The Critical Commentary says of verse 15, "The serpent wounds the heel that crushes him; and so Satan would be permitted to afflict the humanity of Christ and bring suffering and persecution on His people. [The offspring of woman] shall bruise thy head -- The serpent's poison is lodged in its head; and a bruise on that part is fatal. Thus, fatal shall be the stroke which Satan shall receive from Christ . . ."  Amazing, isn't it?  From the beginning God had a plan that went for above and beyond the limited understanding of Adam, Eve and Satan.  From before the foundation of the world, God had a plan to redeem His people through His Son. (1 Peter 1:18-20)

Discussion Questions

1. List some of the consequences of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God.

2. One of the consequences was death.  What does 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 say about death?  When are (were) we freed from the power of death? Read Hebrews 2:14, 15.

3. Read Romans 16:20, Revelation 20:3,10.  When will Satan finally be defeated?

Making the Symbol

Cut out an apple shape from red construction paper (or felt).  Glue on a green "leaf".