Introduction for the Week

Welcome to the final two books of the Minor Prophets section of the Old Testament of The Bible. This week we will conclude our journey through The Book of the Twelve by reading portions of Zechariah and all of Malachi. The daily devotionals for this week begin on Sunday, which will be our practice during Lent as well. In regards to our focus after the Minor Prophets, this Your Faith Journey devotional will guide us to read, study, and to be formed as disciples of Christ through the Gospel According to Matthew during the Lenten season.

 

The prophetic ministry of Zechariah took place during the same time as the prophet Haggai. “The prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 5:1 NRSV). Then in response to God’s message through the prophets the governor and priest “set out to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem” with the assistance of the people (Ezra 5:2 NRSV). Their ministries were after the collapse of the Babylonian Empire when the exiles of the Kingdom of Judah were living under the reign and rule of the Persian Emperor. Through Zechariah the Lord shared a message for the people of God to return to the Lord (Zechariah 1:3). Biblical scholars believe that the prophetic book of Zechariah is composed of two distinct written works with chapters 1-8 as the work of the prophet which may have been circulated with the written prophecies of Haggai, while chapters 9-14 were either written by the prophet’s disciples or by editors of the book at a later point in history. As you read and study it you will find that the book reminds readers and hearers of it that all the people of the earth should turn to God to worship him, while submitting to the Lord as our one true King (Zechariah 14:9).

 

Malachi is the final book of the Minor Prophets within the Old Testament of the Bible. It likely was written during the time of Zechariah 9-14, perhaps during the reign of Artaxerxes of the Persian Empire (465-424 B.C.). The book begins with the prophet declaring God’s love for his people in verse 2 of the first chapter, yet our heavenly Father was being dishonored by the priests in Jerusalem, while the people of Judah were faithless and broke their covenant with God. The prophet declared the future Day of the Lord and a coming messenger who would be like the prophet Elijah before the Day of the Lord arrived (Malachi 3:1-4 and 4:1-4). The New Testament writers of the first century A.D. identified John the Baptist as the messenger Malachi foretold (Mark 1:1-8, 9:11-13, and Luke 1:16-18).

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Haggai in 2022 and 2023, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible using the link below. The video summarizes the scriptures of the ancient Jewish people that became the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Sunday (2/12)

Read the verses from Psalm 145 that are below to begin your devotional time:

“I will exalt you, my God and King,

and praise your name forever and ever.

I will praise you every day;

yes, I will praise you forever.

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!

No one can measure his greatness.” – Psalm 145:1-3 NLT

 

If you did not watch it sometime during January or February, you are encouraged to watch The Prophets video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube as an overview of the prophetic writings and books of the Old Testament before you begin reading and studying the final two books of the Minor Prophets this week:

The Prophets by the Bible Project

 

Consider watching the Overview: Zechariah video on Youtube by the Bible Project before beginning to read the verses today:

Overview: Zechariah by the Bible Project

 

Read Zechariah 1:1-17 and 2:6-13. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the Introduction for this book. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

Pray by being “silent…before the LORD” (Zechariah 2:13 NRSV). Listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. As you remain silent in God’s presence, think about how you are seeking to set yourself apart for God and his purposes today and throughout the week ahead. “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15 NIV).

 

 

Monday (2/13)

Read Psalm 145:1-3 as a reminder to praise our God and King every day.

 

If you did not watch it yesterday, you may want to watch the Overview: Zechariah video on Youtube by the Bible Project before reading the verses today.

 

Read Zechariah 6:9-8:23. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the study notes. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

 

Pray knowing that “God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23 NRSV). Throughout the day remember that God is with you. Ask the Lord how “joy and gladness” can be part of the Lenten season. Ask the Lord what kind of fast he wants from you during Lent.

 

 

Tuesday (2/14) Valentine’s Day

Read Psalm 145:1-3 to begin your devotional time with worshipping the Lord.

 

Read Zechariah 9:1-10:12. You may find it helpful to choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time. If you are using a Study Bible, consider reading the study notes to understand the chapters more clearly.

 

Pray for the strength that only the Lord can provide and the ability to walk faithfully with our God so that we love others as He loves us.

 

 

Wednesday (2/15)

Read Psalm 145:1-3 as a reminder that you are not the king/queen of your life, but God is our King.

 

Read Zechariah 12:1-14:21. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the study notes as you conclude this book of the Bible. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

 

Pray for yourself and Christians throughout the world that we will continue to submit to God as our King and worship him alone. Look for opportunities today to submit to the Lord as our King and worship him. Also pray that the Lord will make himself known to people you know and billions of others throughout the earth who do not worship our God nor submit to him.

 

 

Thursday (2/16)

Read Psalm 145:1-3 as a reminder to praise our God and King every day.

 

Consider watching the Overview: Malachi video on Youtube by the Bible Project before beginning to read the verses today:

Overview: Malachi by the Bible Project

 

Read Malachi 1 and 2. If you are using a Study Bible, it will be helpful to read the Introduction for this book. As you read the verses for today invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s message to you through the biblical text.

 

Pray offering thanks to God for as many things as you can today, including each person you interact with, hear, or see, as well as for your life, body, resources, opportunities, etc. Try thanking God for whatever you touch, see, hear, and experience throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (2/17)

Read Psalm 145:1-3 to begin your devotional time by worshipping the Lord.

 

Read Malachi 3 and 4. You may find it helpful to choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time. If you are using a Study Bible, consider reading the study notes to understand the chapters more clearly.

 

Pray about your financial resources. Ask the Lord to help you to manage your finances so that you honor him with every portion, including the 10% or more that you give, as well as the portions you save and spend. If you are not currently tithing, which means giving 10% to God, ask the Lord to help you to develop a plan to become a tither over the coming months and years.

 

 

Saturday (2/18)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

Read Matthew 28:1-10. As the two ladies encountered the resurrected Jesus the first Easter morning, Matthew wants us to know that when they saw Christ, “they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him” (Matt. 28:1, 9 NRSV). Our Sabbath theme for today is “WORSHIP.”

• How are you going to go to our resurrected Savior today and this weekend to be with him? Through prayer, solitude, and silence, being with the church, or some other way?

 

• How are you going to take hold of Jesus today and when you observe the Sabbath? Perhaps you could use a prayer cross as you pray, a pocket cross with you throughout the day, or something else that you can physically touch that reminds you of Christ.

 

• How are you going to intentionally worship Jesus today and this weekend? By singing to him, making a joyful noise, and thanking him? By bowing down or kneeling before him as you pray and praise Him?

 

• When you attend a worship service this weekend, look for Jesus within the faces and presence of the people of the church (the body of Christ). Also look for Jesus in the faces of the hungry, thirsty, strangers, those in need of clothing, the sick, and prisoners whenever you are with them (Matthew 25:34-40).

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with Jesus seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Psalm 95:1-7 as a reminder of ways we can worship King Jesus:

• sing to him
• make a joyful noise
• offer thanksgiving
• bow down
• kneel before him
• submit to him as Lord
• listen to him

 

Pray and live in response to Christ Jesus. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for your prayer time now and throughout the day. Consider singing, making a joyful noise, offering thanks, bowing or kneeling as you pray, then submit to Christ and listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit upon your heart and mind.

 

 

Read Romans 12:1-2 as a reminder to offer your body and life as a living sacrifice for God as an act of ongoing worship.