Genesis

Primeval History (1:1–11:26)

God’s creation and ordering of heaven and earth (1:1–2:3)

Creation (Gen 2:4–9; Job 38:4–11; Jhn 1:1–5 )

[Gen 1:1 LSB] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[Jhn 1:1 LSB] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[Heb 1:10 LSB] And, "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING FOUNDED THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;

[Psa 33:6 LSB] By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

[Psa 33:9 LSB] For He spoke, and it was; He commanded, and it stood.

[Gen 1:3 LSB] Then God said, " there be light"; and there was light.

[Gen 1:26 LSB] Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, so that they will have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

[Gen 1:27 LSB] And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

[Gen 5:3 LSB] When Adam had lived 130 years, he became the father of [a son] in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

[2Co 3:18 LSB] But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

[2Co 4:4 LSB] in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

[Eph 4:24 LSB] and to put on the new man, which in [the likeness of] God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

[Col 1:13-15 LSB] Who rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

[Col 3:10 LSB] and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a full knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--

[Gen 1:31 LSB] And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Earth’s first people (2:4–4:26)

The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth

[Gen 2:7 LSB] Then Yahweh God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and so the man became a living being.

[Job 27:3 LSB]

For as long as breath is in me, And the spirit from God is in my nostrils,

[Job 33:4 LSB]

"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

[Jhn 20:22 LSB]

And when He had said this, He breathed on [them] and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

[Gen 2:23 LSB] Then the man said, "This one finally is bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; This one shall be called Woman, Because this one was taken out of Man."

Adam and Eve Sent Out from the Garden (Rom 5:12–21 )

[Gen 3:9 LSB] Yahweh God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"

[Gen 3:10 LSB] And he said, "I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

[Gen 3:15 LSB] And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel."

[Gen 3:21 LSB] Then Yahweh God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them.

Cain and Abel (Luk 11:51; Heb 11:4; 12:24 )

[Gen 4:6 LSB] Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

[Gen 4:7 LSB] "If you do well, will not [your countenance] be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is lying at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."

[Gen 4:16 LSB] Then Cain went out from the presence of Yahweh and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

[Gen 4:26 LSB] And to Seth, to him also, a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then [men] began to call upon the name of Yahweh.

Adam’s descendants (5:1–6:8)

The Generations of Adam (1Ch 1:1–4; Luk 3:36–38 )

[Gen 5:3 LSB] When Adam had lived 130 years, he became the father of [a son] in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

[Gen 5:23 LSB] So all the days of Enoch were 365 years.

[Gen 5:24 LSB] Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Noah’s descendants (6:9–9:29)

The Nephilim and the Daughters of Men

 [Gen 6:8 LSB] But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh.

The Generations of Noah

Noah and the Flood (Luk 17:26, 27 )

[Gen 7:23 LSB] Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah remained, and those that were with him in the ark.

[Luk 17:26-27 LSB] "And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

The Water Dries Up

[Gen 8:1 LSB] Then God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided. 

Yahweh’s Covenant with Noah

[Gen 8:20 LSB] Then Noah built an altar to Yahweh and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

[Gen 8:21 LSB] And Yahweh smelled the soothing aroma; and Yahweh said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again strike down every living thing as I have done.

Noah’s Three Sons

The descendants of Noah’s sons (10:1–11:9)

The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (1Ch 1:5–27 )

The Tower of Babel  

Shem’s descendants (11:10–26)

The Generations of Shem (1Ch 1:17–27; Luk 3:34–36 )

Patriarchal History (11:27–50:26)

Terah’s descendants (11:27–25:18)

The Generations of Terah  

Yahweh Appears to Abram (Act 7:2–5 )

[Gen 12:1 LSB] And Yahweh said to Abram, "Go forth from your land, And from your kin And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you;

[Gen 12:2 LSB] And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

[Gen 12:3 LSB] And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

[Gen 12:4 LSB] So Abram went forth as Yahweh had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Abram and Sarai in Egypt

 

Abram and Lot Separate

[Gen 13:17 LSB] "Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you."

[Gen 13:18 LSB] Then Abram moved his tent and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to Yahweh.

Kings of the Valley Take Lot

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

[Gen 14:18-20 LSB]

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Then he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." Then he gave him a tenth of all.

Yahweh Cuts a Covenant with Abram (Heb 11:8–10 )

[Gen 15:4 LSB]

Then behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This one will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

[Gen 15:5 LSB]

And He brought him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your seed be."

[Gen 15:6 LSB]

Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness.

 

[Rom 4:19-22 LSB] 

And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; 

yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 

and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do. 

Therefore IT WAS ALSO COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Sarai and Hagar

[Gen 16:13 LSB] Then she called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?"

[Gen 16:14 LSB] Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

Circumcision, the Sign of the Covenant (Exo 12:43—13:2 )

[Gen 17:10 LSB] "This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your seed after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.

[Gen 17:11 LSB] "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.

[Jer 4:4 LSB]

Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh

And remove the foreskins of your heart,

Men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,

Lest My wrath go forth like fire

And burn with none to quench it

Because of the evil of your deeds."

[Rom 4:10-12 LSB]

How then was it counted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;

and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them,

and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

[Phl 3:3 LSB] For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Sarah Will Bear Isaac

Yahweh Appears to Abraham (Heb 13:2 ) 

Yahweh and Abraham Speak About Sodom

[Gen 18:32 LSB] Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy [it] on account of the ten."

Yahweh Destroys Sodom and Gomorrah 

[Gen 19:24-26 LSB] 24 And Yahweh rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 Then his wife, from behind him, looked [back], and she became a pillar of salt.

[Luk 17:29-33 LSB] 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 "On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out, and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. 32 "Remember Lot's wife. 33 "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses [his life] will preserve it.

Lot and His Daughters 

 

Abraham Lies to Abimelech 

 

Isaac Is Born (Heb 11:11 )

[Gen 21:6-7 LSB] 6 And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." 7 And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne [him] a son in his old age."

[Heb 11:11-12 LSB] 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she regarded Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, [as many] AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

 Sarah Sends Hagar Away (Gal 4:21–30 )

[Gen 21:10 LSB] 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Drive out this maidservant and her son! The son of this maidservant shall not be an heir with my son, with Isaac."

[Gal 4:23, 28-31 LSB]

23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. ...

28 And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise.

29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him [who was born] according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 

30 But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE SERVANT-WOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE SERVANT-WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, but of the free woman.

 A Covenant with Abimelech

The Offering of Isaac (Heb. 11:17–19 )

Genesis 22:8 LSB — And Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

Genesis 22:14 LSB — And Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Will Provide, as it is said this day, “In the mount of Yahweh it will be provided.”

Hebrews 11:17-19 LSB — By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only son, to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED.” He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he also received him back.

Sarah’s Death and Burial

A Wife for Isaac

Rebekah Goes with Abraham’s Servant

Rebekah Becomes Isaac’s Wife

Genesis 24:67 LSB — Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus, Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Isaac’s descendants (25:19–37:1)

The Death of Abraham (1Ch 1:32, 33 )

[Gen 25:8 LSB] 8 And Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full [of days]; and he was gathered to his people.

The Generations of Ishmael (1Ch 1:29–31 )

The Generations of Isaac

[Gen 25:23 LSB] 23 And Yahweh said to her, "Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." 

Esau Sells His Birthright

[Gen 25:34 LSB] 34 So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank and rose and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

[Heb 12:14-17 LSB] 14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord,

15 seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSES TROUBLE, and by it many be defiled;

16 that [also there be] no sexually immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a [single] meal.

17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.  

Yahweh Establishes the Oath with Isaac

Isaac and Abimelech 

The Quarrel over the Wells 

[Gen 26:25 LSB] 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of Yahweh and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug out a well.

Isaac’s Oath with Abimelech

[Gen 26:34-35 LSB] 34 And Esau was forty years old, and he took as a wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and [also] Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 and they brought bitterness to Isaac and Rebekah. 

Isaac Calls to Bless Esau

Isaac Blesses Jacob and Esau

[Gen 27:36 LSB] 36 Then he said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"

Jacob Is Sent to Laban 

Jacob’s Dream

Jacob’s Love for Rachel

[Gen 29:20 LSB] 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they were in his sight but a few days because of his love for her.

Laban Deceives Jacob 

The Sons of Jacob

Jacob Leaves While Laban is Gone 

 

Laban Pursues Jacob

 

The Covenant at Mizpah

 

Jacob’s Fear of Esau 

 

Jacob Wrestles with God

[Gen 32:30 LSB] 30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for [he said], "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been delivered."

Jacob Meets Esau

[Gen 33:10 LSB] 10 And Jacob said, "No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

Jacob Camps in Shechem

 

Simeon and Levi Deceive Shechem

Jacob Goes Up to Bethel 

[Gen 35:1 LSB] 1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." 

Jacob Is Renamed Israel

The Sons of Jacob

The Generations of Esau 

Jacob’s descendants (37:2–50:26)

The Generations of Jacob

Joseph’s Dreams

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

Judah and Tamar

[Gen 38:29 LSB] 29 And then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out. So she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" So he was named Perez.

[Mat 1:3 LSB] 3 And Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron was the father of Ram.

Joseph in Potiphar’s House

[Gen 39:13 LSB] 13 Now it happened, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside,

[2Ti 2:22 LSB] 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 

Joseph Is Put into Jail

[Gen 39:21 LSB] 21 But Yahweh was with Joseph and extended lovingkindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

 Joseph Interprets the Officials’ Dreams 

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream

Joseph Is Set over Egypt

The Sons of Joseph

 

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

 

Jacob Is Bereaved

 

The Brothers Return to Egypt

Joseph Sees Benjamin

The Brothers Fall Before Joseph

Judah Remains Instead of Benjamin

Joseph Sends for Jacob

Jacob Moves to Egypt (Exo 6:14–25 )

[Gen 46:1-2 LSB] 1 So Israel set out with all that he had and came to Beersheba and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."

[Gen 46:4 LSB] 4 "I Myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I Myself will also bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes with his hand."

Jacob’s Family Settles in Goshen

[Gen 47:9-10 LSB] 9 So Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my sojourning are 130; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning." 10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.

[Gen 47:31 LSB] 31 Then he said, "Swear to me." So he swore to him. Then Israel bowed [in worship] at the head of the bed.

 

[Heb 11:21 LSB] 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and WORSHIPED, [leaning] ON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF.

John MacArthur: head of his staff. According to Gen. 47:31, Jacob leaned upon his "bed." The two words (staff, bed) in Hebrew have exactly the same consonants. Old Testament Hebrew manuscripts were copied without vowels. Later Hebrew manuscripts, between the sixth and ninth centuries a.d., took the word as "bed." The lxx, in the third century b.c., rendered it "staff," which seems more likely although both could be factual.

Joseph and the Famine

Israel Blesses Manasseh and Ephraim 

Jacob Assembles His Sons 

Jacob Breathes His Last 

Jacob’s Burial at Machpelah

[Gen 50:20 LSB] 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, [but] God meant it for good in order to do [what has happened on] this day, to keep many people alive.

[Rom 8:28 LSB] 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to [His] purpose. 

The Death of Joseph (Heb 11:22 )

[Gen 50:25 LSB] 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here."

[Heb 11:22 LSB] 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave commands concerning his bones.

Malachi

Introduction to Malachi

Yahweh’s Love for Jacob

[Mal 1:2 LSB] "I have loved you," says Yahweh. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "[Was] not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares Yahweh. "Yet I have loved Jacob;

[Mal 1:3 LSB] but I have hated Esau, and I have set his mountains [to be] a desolation and his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness."

The Priests Defile Yahweh

[Mal 1:6 LSB] "'A son honors [his] father, and a slave his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is the fear of Me?' says Yahweh of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, 'How have we despised Your name?'

[Mal 1:7 LSB] "[You] are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of Yahweh is to be despised.'

I Will Curse Your Blessings

[Mal 2:8 LSB] "But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi," says Yahweh of hosts.

[Mal 2:9 LSB] "So I also have made you despised and low before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.

Judah Profaned the Covenant

[Mal 2:17 LSB] You have wearied Yahweh with your words. But you say, "How have we wearied [Him]?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

The Messenger and the Lord

[Mal 3:1 LSB] "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says Yahweh of hosts.

[Mar 1:2 LSB] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

[Mar 1:3 LSB] THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'"

[Mal 3:3 LSB] "And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.

[1Pe 2:5 LSB] you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

[1Pe 1:6-7 LSB] 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

so that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

You Have Robbed God

[Mal 3:8 LSB] "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and contributions.

What Does the Bible Say about Christian Tithing? R. C. Sproul

Arrogant Words

The Book of Remembrance

[Mal 3:16-18 LSB] 

Then those who feared Yahweh spoke to one another, and Yahweh gave heed and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear Yahweh and who think upon His name. 

"And they will be Mine," says Yahweh of hosts, "on the day that I prepare [My] own treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." 

So you will return and see [the distinction] between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

The Great Day of Yahweh

[Mal 4:5-6 LSB]

 

"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh.

 

"And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to [their] children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land, devoting it to destruction."

Zechariah

Introduction to Zechariah

The Chapters of Zechariah

1. Oracles and Visions (1:1–8:23)

    a. Introduction: return to me and I will return to you (1:1–6)

        Return to Me, Declares Yahweh

[Zec 1:3 LSB] "Therefore say to them, 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts, "Return to Me," declares Yahweh of hosts, "that I may return to you," says Yahweh of hosts. 

 

[Jas 4:8 LSB] Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

    b. Eight night visions and a sign-act (1:7–6:15)

        A Man on a Red Horse

[Zec 1:12 LSB] Then the angel of Yahweh answered and said, "O Yahweh of hosts, how long will You have no compassion for Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been indignant these seventy years?" 

[Zec 1:17 LSB] "Again, call out, saying, 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts, "My cities will again overflow with good, and Yahweh will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem."'

        Four Horns and Craftsmen

        A Man with a Measuring Cord

[Zec 2:8 LSB] For thus says Yahweh of hosts, "After glory He has sent Me against the nations which have taken you as spoil, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

        The High Priest and a Branch

[Zec 3:8 LSB] 'Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you--indeed they are men who are a wondrous sign, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch.

[Zec 3:9 LSB] 'For behold, the stone that I have put before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,' declares Yahweh of hosts, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

[Zec 3:10 LSB] 'In that day,' declares Yahweh of hosts, 'every one of you will call for his neighbor to [sit] under [his] vine and under [his] fig tree.'"

The Golden Lampstand

[Zec 4:2-3 LSB] And he said to me, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it, also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side." 

 

[Zec 4:6 LSB] Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says Yahweh of hosts.

 

[Zec 4:14 LSB] Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of all the earth."

A Flying Scroll 

[Zec 5:3 LSB] Then he said to me, "This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.

A Woman in an Ephah

[Zec 5:8 LSB] Then he said, "This is Wickedness!" And he threw her down into the middle of the ephah and threw the lead weight on its opening.

[Zec 5:11 LSB]Then he said to me, "To build a house for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal."

Four Chariots

[Zec 6:5 LSB] And the angel answered and said to me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,

The Crown and the Temple

[Zec 6:12 LSB] "Then you will say to him, 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, and He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of Yahweh.

[Zec 6:13 LSB] "Indeed, it is He who will build the temple of Yahweh, and He who will bear the splendor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."'

    C. From fasts to feasts (7:1–8:23)

The People’s Hard Hearts

[Zec 7:12 LSB] "And they made their hearts diamond-hard so that they could not hear the law and the words which Yahweh of hosts had sent by His Spirit by the hand of the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from Yahweh of hosts.

Jerusalem, the City of Truth

[Zec 8:3 LSB] "Thus says Yahweh, 'I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of Yahweh of hosts [will be called] the Holy Mountain.'

[Zec 8:23 LSB]

"Thus says Yahweh of hosts, 'In those days ten men from every tongue of the nations will take hold of the garment of a Jew, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'"

2. The Return of the King (9:1–14:21)

    a. The first oracle: leaders and their people (9:1–11:17)

Yahweh’s Oracle Against Israel’s Enemies

[Zec 9:1 LSB] The oracle of the word of Yahweh is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of men, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward Yahweh),

[Isa 17:7 LSB] In that day man will have regard for his Maker And his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.

The Coming King of Zion (Mat 21:5; Jhn 12:14, 15 ) 

[Zec 9:9 LSB] Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Make a loud shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Lowly and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a pack animal.

[Mat 21:5 LSB] "SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, 'BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, LOWLY, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, AND ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A PACK ANIMAL.'"

[Zec 9:13 LSB] For I will bend Judah as My bow; I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will rouse up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; And I will make you like a mighty man's sword.

Yahweh Will Redeem Judah and Israel
 
Woe to the Worthless Shepherd

[Zec 11:12 LSB] And I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give [me] my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty [shekels] of silver as my wages.

[Zec 11:13 LSB] Then Yahweh said to me, "Throw it to the potter, [that] valuable price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty [shekels] of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of Yahweh.

[Mat 26:15 LSB] and said, "What are you willing to give me to deliver Him to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 

[Mat 27:5 LSB] And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 

    b. The second oracle: the people and their leaders (12:1–14:21)

Yahweh Will Save

[Zec 12:1 LSB] The oracle of the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. [Thus] declares Yahweh who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

[Zec 12:8 LSB] "In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who stumbles among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David [will be] like God, like the angel of Yahweh before them.

Jerusalem Refined and Tested 

[Zec 13:7 LSB] "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd And against the man, My Associate," Declares Yahweh of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. 

[Mat 26:31 LSB] Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'

[Isa 53:10 LSB] But Yahweh was pleased To crush Him, putting [Him] to grief; If You would place His soul [as] a guilt offering, He will see [His] seed, He will prolong [His] days, And the good pleasure of Yahweh will succeed in His hand.

[Zec 13:8 LSB] "And it will be in all the land," Declares Yahweh, "That two parts in it will be cut off [and] breathe their last; But the third will be left in it.

[Zec 13:9 LSB] "And I will bring the third part through the fire And refine them as silver is refined And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'Yahweh is my God.'"

[1Pe 4:12 LSB] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.

[1Pe 1:6 LSB] In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

[1Pe 1:7 LSB] so that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Yahweh Will Battle the Nations (cf. Eze 38; 39; Mar 13; Rev 20—22 )

[Zec 14:3 LSB] Then Yahweh will go forth and fight against those nations, as the day when He fights on a day of battle.

[Zec 14:4 LSB] And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.

Yahweh Will Be King over All

[Zec 14:16 LSB] Then it will be that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

Haggai

Introduction to Haggai

The Chapters of Haggai - Scholars Crossing

1. Introduction: Reluctant Rebuilders (1:1–2)

The Commission to Rebuild the Temple (Ezr 5:1 )

2. Consider Your Ways: Fruitless Prosperity (1:3–12)

[Hag 1:12 LSB]
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, listened to the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Yahweh their God had sent him. And the people feared Yahweh.

3. Promise and Progress (1:13–15a)

[Hag 1:14 LSB]
So Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work on the house of Yahweh of hosts, their God,

4. The Former and Latter Glory of This House (1:15b–2:9)

The Glory of Yahweh Will Fill the Temple

[Hag 2:9 LSB]
'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of hosts, 'and in this place I will give peace,' declares Yahweh of hosts."

5. Consider Your Ways: Holiness and Defilement;

6. Repentance and Blessing (2:10–19)

7. Zerubbabel: The Signet Ring (2:20–23)

Yahweh Chooses Zerubbabel

[Hag 2:23 LSB]
'On that day,' declares Yahweh of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,' declares Yahweh, 'and I will make you like a signet [ring], for I have chosen you,'" declares Yahweh of hosts.

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/zerubbabel-lords-signet-ring

Haggai concludes with a messianic word to Zerubbabel that God would greatly exalt him (vv. 20–23), but the prophet does not mean the person of Zerubbabel himself. The prophets often promise the return of David—the first ruler of Israel appointed by God alone before the exile—but the person in view is actually one of David's sons as prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:1–17. Haggai promises the throne to Zerubbabel—the first ruler of Israel appointed by God alone after the exile—but the person in view is actually one of Zerubbabel's sons.

God's promise to exalt Zerubbabel, that is, one of Zerubbabel's sons, is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is David's descendant through Zerubbabel (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38). Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God the Father Almighty, fulfilling Haggai's word. Because the promise to Zerubbabel has been fulfilled, we can be confident that the Lord will keep all of His promises, namely that our glory as His house will one day be greater than any previous temple.

Zephaniah

Introduction to Zephaniah

Yahweh Will End All Things

The Day of Yahweh Is Near

[Zep 1:12 LSB]

"And it will be at that time
That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
And I will punish the men
Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts, 'Yahweh will not do good or evil!'

Seek Yahweh Before His Day of Anger

[Zep 2:1 LSB]

Gather yourselves together, indeed, gather, O nation without shame,

[Zep 2:2 LSB]

Before the decree takes effect--
The day passes like the chaff--
Before the burning anger of Yahweh comes upon you,
Before the day of Yahweh's anger comes upon you.

[Zep 2:3 LSB]

Seek Yahweh,
All you humble of the earth
Who have worked His justice;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of Yahweh's anger.

The Unjust Knows No Shame

Yahweh Will Pour Out His Anger 

(cf. Gen 11:1–9; Act 2:1–11 )

[Zep 3:11 LSB]

"In that day you will feel no shame
Because of all your deeds
By which you have transgressed against Me;
For then I will remove from your midst
Your proud, exulting ones,
And you will never again be haughty
On My holy mountain.

[Zep 3:12 LSB]

"But I will cause to remain in your midst
A lowly and poor people,
And they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

[Zep 3:13 LSB]

"The remnant of Israel will do no injustice
And not speak falsehood,
Nor will a deceitful tongue
Be found in their mouths;
For they will feed and lie down
With no one to make them tremble."

Yahweh’s Joy in Restoring Israel

[Zep 3:19 LSB]

"Behold, I am going to deal at that time 

With all those who afflict you, 

And I will save the lame 

And gather the banished, 

And I will turn them -- in their shame -- into praise and a name 

In all the earth.

Habakkuk

• Introduction to Habakkuk - ESV
• The Chapters of Habakkuk, Harold Willmington

Habakkuk Calls For Help

Yahweh Raises the Dreaded Chaldeans

[Hab 1:5 LSB]

"See among the nations! And look! Be also astonished! Be astounded! Because [I am] doing something in your days-- You would not believe if it was recounted [to you].

Yahweh Has Placed Them to Judge

The Righteous Will Live by His Faith

[Hab 2:4 LSB]
"Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

Yet I Will Exalt in Yahweh

[Hab 3:16 LSB]

I heard, and my inward parts trembled; At the sound my lips tingled. Decay enters my bones, And in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, For the people to arise [who] will invade us.

[Hab 3:17 LSB]

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no produce on the vines, [Though] the yield of the olive should fail And the fields yield no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,

[Hab 3:18 LSB]

Yet I will exult in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

[Hab 3:19 LSB]

Yahweh, the Lord, is my strength, And He has set my feet like hinds' [feet] And makes me tread on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

Nahum

Introduction to Nahum

Chapters of Nahum - Harold Willmington

1. Introduction (1:1)

[Nah 1:1 LSB]

The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2. A Psalm Descriptively Praising the Lord (1:2–8)

[Nah 1:2 LSB]

ALEPH A jealous and avenging God is Yahweh; Yahweh is avenging and wrathful. Yahweh is avenging against His adversaries, And He keeps [His anger] for His enemies.

[Nah 1:3 LSB]

BETH Yahweh is slow to anger and great in power, And Yahweh will by no means leave [the guilty] unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

3. The Lord’s Coming Judgment on Nineveh and Deliverance of Judah (1:9–15)

[Nah 1:14 LSB]

And Yahweh has commanded concerning you: "There will no longer be seed from your name. From the house of your gods, I will cut off graven image and molten image. I will prepare your grave, For you are contemptible."

[Nah 1:15 LSB]

Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who proclaims good news, Who announces peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; Pay your vows. For never again will the vile one pass through you; He is cut off completely.

4. Focus on Nineveh: The Lord’s Coming Judgment (2:1–13)

5. Again, Focus on Nineveh: More concerning the Lord’s Coming Judgment (3:1–19)