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ScriptureStream episodes
- Exodus, Part 12
- Exodus 32
- Exodus 32:1-8 – The people and instant gratification
- Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18).
- Exodus 32:6 – The word “play” may have a sexual connotation.
- I Thessalonians 5:1-11; II Peter 3:10-11 – We aren’t told when Jesus is coming, but what is our job until that time?
- Moses and strong, loving leadership
- Great leadership in God’s eyes is taking a strong stand against sin.
- Moses was willing to take the punishment for the people’s sin. Exodus 32:31-35
- Aaron and weak leadership
- Exodus 32:4 – Does “they” include Aaron?
- Exodus 32:21-25 – Aaron just makes things worse with lies and excuses.
- God’s compassion (Exodus 32:9-14)
- The people took the blessings of God and used them wickedly. Isn’t that always what sin is?
- Despite this great sin, God chose not to destroy them.
- Nehemiah 9:17-21
- I John 1:9
- Romans 2:4
30 min - Focus on the First Century, Part 2
- Review
- Influence of the Persians
- Exile to Alexander
- Peace to minor persecution
- Alexander’s conquest
- Peaceful transition in Judea
- Jewish influence on Alexander’s empire
- Egyptian (Ptolemean) rule
- Harsh to peaceful
- Promotion of Jewish talents
- Movements of Jews through empire
- This lesson: rule of the Seleucids
- Who was Antiochus IV?
- Meddling with the priesthood
- Ambition in Egypt
- Roman intervention
- Zadokite revolt
- Antiochus’ revenge
- Abomination of desolation
- Seleucid takeover
- Started in 204 BC
- Peaceful at first
- Changed under Antiochus Epiphanes
- Serious persecution of the Jews
- Defiled the temple
- Forced Hellenization
- Sets up the revolt
- Antiochus Epiphanes (Antiochus IV)
- “Epiphanes” translates “visible god”
- Usurped the throne (178-164 BC)
- Murdered his nephew, the rightful heir to the throne
- Antiochus assumes throne
- Begins his mission
- Makes deals within the high priesthood
- Co-opting the priesthood
- Onias to Jason (174 BC)
- Jason to Menelaus
- The physical price
- Some gold of the temple sold off to pay the bribe
- Antiochus moves on Egypt
- Takes all but Alexandria
- Takes Cypress
- Revisits two years later – 168 BC
- Roman interference
- Jason takes back Jerusalem
- Antiochus returns to Damascus via Jerusalem
- Antiochus accelerates Hellenization
- All Jewish religious activity forbidden
- Observances punishable by death
- Menelaus reinstated as high priest
- Wants the right to collect taxes. Was not concerned about Jewish laws or serving God.
- Put to death those who broke the anti-religious laws he put in effect.
- Sold people into slavery who could not pay taxes.
- Desecrates temple
- Constructed gymnasium (participants required to be nude, all people required to visit at least once)
- Built statue to Zeus and sacrificed pigs
- Nation divided
- Hellenized Jews
- Now in charge
- Enforce new rules
- Faithful Jews
- Flee to the hills, caves
- Carry on in the faith
- Jerusalem in 168 BC
- No more temple worship for the faithful
- Newborn males no longer presented there
- Passover not kept
- Sabbath is disregarded
- Jesus and John
- What would calls to repent involve?
- Daniel 11:28-32
- Next lesson:
- Men of action: the Maccabees
- Revolt against Menelaus
- Revolt against Seleucids
- Establishment of Hasmonean Dynasty
- Purification and rededication of the temple
- Enter Rome
- Herodian Dynasty emerges
30 min - Why Serve God?
- Acts 17:24-31
- Introduction
- Matthew 4:10
- Why does God desire for man to worship Him? Does God have a need or does man have a need?
- Serving God is for man’s benefit.
- God needs nothing seeing that He gives all things to man.
- Physically, we cannot get along without God. Matthew 5:44
- Spiritually, we cannot get along without God. Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:7
- God wants us to serve Him for His glory. But whether we worship Him or not, He will have His glory.
- Psalms 148:1-13
- Most “innovations” that have come into the church have arisen as a result of man trying to help God out.
- Compare Genesis 12. Sarah thought God needed her help.
- Alexander Campbell made the same mistake in starting the Christian Missionary Society in 1849.
- Again, the same mistake was made in 1869 with the introduction of instrumental music.
- We cannot go beyond God’s word and try to help. We will not be successful.
- Whatever God commands us to do is for our benefit.
- Judges 5:23 – Meroz cursed for not carrying out God’s will.
- Why does God want us to sin? To worship and encourage each other.
- Why does God want us to give on the first day of the week? For our benefit.
- When we serve God, the benefit is ours.
30 min - Romans 11: The Two Olive Trees
- Romans 11
- Paul makes 5 points in Romans. The first four:
- Romans 3:9-18, 23 – All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
- Romans 3:20 – No one is able to keep the law sinlessly.
- Romans 3:24-26 – God sent Jesus as a sacrifice to make salvation available.
- Romans 5:1 – We are now justified by faith.
- Romans 10:16-21
- Romans 11:
- Romans 11:16 – The root was the promises made to Abraham.
- Romans 11:18 – Gentiles who were grafted in were not to boast. They were still deriving their spiritual sustenance from the promises to Abraham.
- Romans 11:20-21 – Be careful! Jews were cast out because of unbelief and Gentiles can be cast out, too!
- The first olive tree started out as the physical nation of Israel. Unbelieving Jews were cast out and believing Gentiles were grafted in. Now the tree represents spiritual Israel.
- Salvation is now for both Jew and Gentile.
- Romans 11:25, 15 – Paul’s hope was that when the Gentiles showed faith and partook of the blessings, the Jews would be encouraged to believe as well.
- See Romans 2:28-29.
30 min - That’s Not Fair
- Genesis 1:1-31 – Creation
- Genesis 4:1-12 – Cain and Abel
- I John 3:12
- Genesis 6:1-22 – Noah
- Genesis 11:1-9 – The tower of Babel
- Genesis 19:14-26 – Sodom and Gomorrah
- Genesis 25:27-34; 27:30-36 – Jacob and Esau
- Jacob, Rachel, and Leah
- Jacob and Esau meet again – Genesis 33:1-4
- Genesis 34 – Dinah
30 min - Focus on the First Century, Part 1
- FOCUS ON THE FIRST CENTURY
- HISTORY, SOCIETY, RELIGION
- OVERVIEW
- External Influences from History
- Persians and Greeks and Romans, Oh No!
- Ptolomeans, Seleucids, and Idumaeans, Too!
- Maccabean Revolt
- Hasmonean Dynasty
- High Priesthood and the Temple(s)
- Herodian Dynasty
- FIRST CENTURY FOCUS
- Jewish Society
- Politics
- Religious Sects, Beliefs, and Worship
- Views of the Messiah
- Role of Women
- The Diaspora
- Some Examples of Cultural Understanding
- Samaritans
- Tax Collectors
- Women
- Gentiles
- Religious Sects
- Many Etceteras
- WHY?
- Appreciation
- Understanding
- Impact
- EXTERNAL INFLUENCES FROM HISTORY
- Main External Influences
- Persian Influence
- Greek Influence
- Roman Influence
- Timeline From Captivity to Greek Conquest
- A NOTE ABOUT ZOROASTRIANISM
- Nature of Zoroastrianism
- Dating Zarathustra
- Authenticating Zarathustra
- Chicken or Egg Problem for Anthropologists
- Swings on Dates
- Similarities Die with Most “Ancient” Manuscripts
- Manuscripts Differ Widely and According to Tradition
- Conclusion
- PERSIAN STRENGTH
- Cyrus Defeats Babylon – 539 BC
- Sends Jews to Rebuild Temple – 538 BC
- More Return With Ezra – 457 BC
- Judea Enjoys Peace Under Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes
- Artaxerxes III Heavy Handedness
- FINAL PROPHETIC WRITINGS ABOUT 415 BC
- Malachi is Last Written Prophet
- Greek Culture and Influence on the Rise
- SPARTA AND PERSIA (386 BC)
- Peace Between Sparta and Persia
- Sparta Forces Other Greek States to Follow
- Sparta and the Athenian League
- Make Peace Among the Greek City States (371 BC)
- Now Free to Spread Stronger Influence
- PHILLIP OF MACEDONIA
- Takes the Throne (359-336 BC)
- Makes War Against the Greek City States
- ALEXANDER THE GREAT
- Phillip’s Son Takes the Throne (336-323 BC)
- Continues His Father’s Quest
- Conquers as Far as India
- Conquered Persia (Incl Palestine) 331 BC
- ALEXANDER AND JUDEA
- Josephus Antiquities, XI
- Daniel 8:20-22
- Friendliness to Jews as Result
- DEATH OF ALEXANDER 323 BC
- Kingdom Splits
- Period of Peace
- THE INHERITANTS RULE
- Four Horns of Daniel 8:20-22
- Ptolemy Soter, Lysimachus, Cassander, and Selenus
- PTOLEMEAN RULE – 323 to 204 BC
- Empire Centered in Egypt
- Soter Goes Harsh to Kind
- Philadelphus Follows Suit
- Extensive Public Works
- Many Jews Work in his Administrative Offices and Armies
- OT Translated into Greek - Septuagint
- Philopater’s Approach to the Temple
- Persecution of the Jews
- Succession of Epiphanes, subsequent defeat
- NEXT WEEK
- Rule of the Seleucids
- Maccabean Revolt
- Effect on Priesthood
- Effect on Governance
- Hasmonean Dynasty
- Roman Annexation
- Herodian Dynasty
- Homework - Edom
- Genesis 32-33
- Numbers 20:14-21
- Deuteronomy 2
- 1 Samuel 14:47
- 2 Samuel 8:1-14
- 1 Kings 9:26
- 2 Kings 14:1-7
- 2 Chronicles 20:1-23; 25:14-28
- Isaiah 34:5-8; 63:1-6
- Jeremiah 49:7-22
30 min - Moses
- We can be humble and authoritative at the same time.
- Deuteronomy 18:15
- Numbers 12:1-13; 16:3-22 – God steps in to stop Aaron and Miriam’s rebellion against Moses. Moses shows humility in praying for them. Later, Moses addresses the rebellion of Korah while still showing humility.
- Ephesians 6:4-9 – God instructs us to be humble in all our relationships. We can be humble and still exercise authority.
- We should obey both general principles and specific commands.
- Exodus 40:16-21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32-33 – Everything was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
- Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8 – Everything was to be done according to the pattern.
- Hebrews 8:4-5 – God wants us to obey in the details and not just follow the main point.
- Romans 13:8-10 – Not obeying in the details is disobedience!
- Matthew 23:23-24
- We should grow into greatness.
- Exodus 2:14-15; 4:13; 5:22-23; 7:1; 11:3; 12:31-32; 14:13-14 – Moses had to grow into his faith and his role.
- Hebrews 11:24-29
- I Timothy 6:17
- Proverbs 6:25
- Mark 16:16
30 min - Exodus, Part 11
- Exodus 25-31
- The tabernacle and priests
- Exodus 25:1-9
- Exodus 31:1-6 – Bezalel and Oholiab were appointed by God to be the craftsmen to build the tabernacle. God endowed them with special knowledge.
- The tabernacle and its coverings (Exodus 26:1-30; 36:8-34)
- Veil and screen (Exodus 26:31-37; 36:35-38)
- Court (Exodus 27:9-19; 38:9-20)
- Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-16; 37:1-5)
- Mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22; 37:6-9)
- Altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10, 34-38; 37:25-29)
- Table of showbread (Exodus 25:23-30; 26:35; 37:10-16)
- Golden lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40; 26:35; 27:20-21; 37:17-24)
- Bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7)
- Bronze laver (Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8)
- Garments for priests (Exodus 28:1-43; 39:1-31)
- Ephod (Exodus 28:6-14; 39:2-7)
- Breastpiece (Exodus 28:15-30; 39:8-21)
- Robe (Exodus 28:31-35; 39:22-26)
- Turban (Exodus 28:36-38; 39:28, 30-31)
- Tunic and sash (Exodus 28:39; 39:27, 29)
- Consecration of the priests (Exodus 29:1-37)
- Exodus 29:38-42 – Offerings to be made each day.
- Hebrews 10:10-14 – The power of the sacrifice of Jesus – one sacrifice for all!
- “That I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8)
- Hebrews 8:1-6. See also Hebrews 9:11-12, 23-24
30 min - II Corinthians, Part 16
- II Corinthians 13:1-14
- II Corinthians 13:8 – See Matthew 5:16.
- II Corinthians 13:9 – See Romans 9:1-2.
- II Corinthians 13:10 – Paul hoped that they would correct the things he had rebuked them for so that he would not need to be harsh with them when he returned.
30 min - Our Impartial God
- Romans 2:1-11
- God’s impartiality is seen in that He imparts sin to all men.
- Romans 3:9-18, 23
- God is impartial in that He has provided a Savior for all.
- I Timothy 2:4
- Luke 19:10
- God is impartial in that He invited all to be saved.
- God is impartial in that He requires the same conditions of all.
- John 6:24
- Titus 2:11
- Romans 1:16
- Romans 11:26
- Matthew 16:19; 18:18
- God is impartial in that He requires the same standard of conduct for all.
- Galatians 6:14
- What’s involved in being a new creature?
- Romans 6:3 – now in Christ
- Romans 5:17
- A new worship
- A new way of life – Romans 6:4
- New obligations – Ephesians 5:25-26
- A new concern for compassion
30 min
About ScriptureStream
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Just the gospel, plainly spoken. ScriptureStream compiles lessons presented at the Benchley church of Christ, located just north of Bryan, TX. Visit ScriptureStream.com for full notes on each lesson…
and additional resources for Bible study.