Book of Daniel.

Daniel  One ….(verses 1-21)

1.  Verses  1-21   

a.  When  were Daniel and his friends taken off to Babylon in the time frame of Israel’s history?     (verse 1)

The kingdom of Israel was removed from the land about the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The kingdom of Judah lasted a few more years with several attacks from Babylon. Daniel was taken captive in one of the earlier batches in the time of King Jehoiakim.

b.  What else did Nebuchadnezzar take off to Babylon ?     (verse 2)

Some of the gold and silver items from the temple and he put them in the house of his god.

c.    What was this partly the result of?     (Isaiah 39:1-4)

Hezekiah’s foolishness and pride in showing off all his treasures to the enemy.

d.   How did Daniel fit into Isaiah’s prophecy?    (verse 3; Isaiah 39:6-7)

Isaiah had told Hezekiah that some of his descendants would be taken off and made eunuchs in the enemies’ land, and Daniel was one of these.

e.     What was Nebuchadnezzar’s aim in getting these young men?     (verse 4b)

He wanted to train them up in his culture and language and add them to his advisers and wise men. He may have thought he could pick their brains in helping to finish off the task of cleaning out the Jews from their land.

f.  What sort of young man was Daniel ?     (verse 4)

Nice looking, fit and well built, top of the class mentally and physically and more importantly, spiritually aware of God. He was also a very likeable young man.

g.    What did the king think they needed to aid them in their studies and appearance? How long was their course for?    (verse 5)

He wanted them to have the same sort of food and drink for the three years.

h.   What did Daniel think of this idea? Why?    (verses 6-8a)

Daniel made up his mind that he would not eat of drink the king’s food as it had been offered to the idol first.

i.   What did he do about the situation?       (verses 8b-13)

He spoke to the man in charge and asked if they could be given pulse to eat (vegetables and lentils etc) with water to drink for a ten day period to see how they got on.

j.  What was the man in charge afraid of? Did he agree?      (verses 10-14)

He was afraid that if the boys lost condition, he would be blamed by the king and could lose his head…..but because he liked Daniel so much he agreed to let them try it.

k.  What was the result?      (verses 15-16)

Daniel and his three friends looked better and were more alert than any of the other students in the class. So this became their staple diet for the rest of their time there.

l.    What did God do specifically for Daniel and his friends?             (verse 17)

He brought them into favour and tender love with the prince in charge of them and also gave them special knowledge and skill in their lessons and classes.

m.    What principle do we see working here?      (1 Samuel 2:30b)

They had honoured God in their eating habits and now God was honouring them….those who honour God, will be honoured by Him.

n.  What did Nebuchadnezzar find with these young men when they finally attended him?   (verses 18-20)

That they were ten times better than any of his other wise men….they were more wise and understanding than the rest of them put together!

o.    What did our Lord Jesus say along these lines? (John 12:26)

That if any person serves Him, God will honour that person.

p.    What does verse 21 tell us? How do we know?     (Daniel 9:2; 10:1)

That Daniel lived to be a very old man…..he was taken captive in the first batch and lived until the time of Cyrus who sent the first lot of Jews back to Israel. Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would remain captive for seventy years. Daniel was still alive and writing in the third year of Cyrus’  reign, so he would have been in his late 80s by then.

Daniel Two ….(verses 1-49)

1.  Verses 1-30    

1. a.      What was wrong with Nebuchadnezzar after he had had this dream ?    (verse 1)

He woke up very disturbed by it….it had been so vivid, and what was worse,  he couldn’t remember what it was about!

b.  What did he expect his wise men to do about it?     (verses 2-6)

To tell him what the dream was as well as what it meant!

c.    How did they feel about this demand?      (verses 7-11)

Not only extremely disturbed, but extremely indignant at the demand and also fearful for their lives.

d.   How did Daniel become involved?       (verses 12-13)

He and his three friends also had the death sentence on them as they were classed with the  other  wise men even though they had not been consulted by the king.

e.   What three things did Daniel do in the face of this disaster?       (verses 14-17)

i.    He got his facts straight from the source (Arioch)

ii.   He went to the king in person and asked for another day confident that God would give him the answer.

iii.  He and his friends had a serious prayer meeting about the matter

f.   What are we told to do when we are faced with disasters?      (Philippians 4:6-7)

To not worry and be upset, but to tell God about the problem and thank Him for the answer at the same time (whatever it may turn out to be), and THEN God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds.

g.       What happened that night?     (verse 19)

God revealed to Daniel what the dream was and what it  meant.

h.  What did Daniel do the next morning?   (verses 20-25)

i.   He praised and thanked God for the revelation

ii.  He went straight to Arioch and asked to be taken to the king

i.    What did Daniel tell the king first?           (verses 26-30)

That the thing that no-one could do (tell the dream), God could do. It wasn’t his (Daniel’s) wisdom that knew this dream, it was God alone that showed the secret.

2.  Verses  31-49    

a.  What was the dream?     (verses 31-35)

The dream was that Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image hat was made of different metals, starting with a heard of gold, chest and arms of silver. Then from the waist to the knees, was of brass, legs of iron and feet part iron and part slay. Then in the dream, a great stone smashed into the image’s feet, and toppled the image over so that it broke into many pieces and powder, that the wind blew away. The stone grew in size until it filled the whole earth.

b.  What did the dream mean? How do we see it in hindsight?     (verses 36-43)

It was a picture of the whole human history….the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar, the silver part depicted the Persian empire, the brass was Alexander the Great who conquered the whole known earth. The iron legs were the Romans who reigned with the Caesars, and feet was when the Roman empire was split between the army generals.

c.    What did the stone that toppled the image represent?   Where does society these days fit into this prophecy?        (verse 44)

The great stone is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ who was cut out without hands, the head stone of the corner whose kingdom grows and grows until the end of time when there is no other kingdom but His! True believers are part of this kingdom now!

d.   How did Daniel end up his explanation of the dream?             (verse 45)

He said it was God’s revelation to Nebuchadnezzar and it was certain and sure to come to pass.

e.   How do we see this thought of Christ as the Stone expanded on in the NT?   (1 Peter 2:6-8)

That He is the Precious one, the Head of the corner, and for unbelievers a rock of offence that they stumble over.

f    What did Nebuchadnezzar think of  Daniel’s explanation?     (verses 31-35)

He was convinced of its authenticity, and recognised that Daniel’s God was the true and living God above any other.

g.  What did he do for Daniel as a reward?    (verse 48)

He made him the ruler over everyone and everything, as well as giving him many gifts….he was promoted to the top.

h.     Did Daniel forget his three friends?          (verse 49)

No, he asked if they could be  promoted too, to high  positions in the province

i.    What does this show us about the character of Daniel?     

That he was loyal and humble, wanting to share his position with the others.

Daniel Three….(verses 1-30)

1.      Verses 1-27    

a.  At 18 inches to a cubit, imagine the size of tis image Nebuchadnezzar set up….how high and wide was it ?    (verse 1)

It was 90 feet high by 9 feet wide and made of gold.

b.  Who was commanded to come to the dedication of this image? Who did that include?  (verses 2-3)

All the dignitaries, rulers and officers throughout the kingdom were called to attend this function, and that included Daniel and his three friends.

c.    Which one of these did not come?      (verse 12)

Daniel wasn’t present….we don’t know why he  didn’t or where he was.

d. What were people expected to do when the band and music started up?                    (verses 4-5, 10-11)

Everyone there was supposed to prostrate themselves on the ground before this image, but Shadrach, Meshec and Abednego refused to do this.

e.   What was Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction when he was told about this?  (verses 13-15)

He flew into a rage, called them before him and threatened them with instant death by burning if they didn’t bow down the next time the music started. He said there was no god who could keep them safe.

f.  What did the three men say to him?      (verses 16-18)

Our God CAN deliver us if He chooses, but even if He doesn’t we still aren’t going to worship your idols or this image.

g.   What do verses 20-23 tell us?      

That Nebuchadnezzar’s rage increased even more and he ordered them to be bound immediately and thrown into the furnace which had been stoked up to seven times hotter than usual. It was so hot that the men who threw them in were overcome with the severe heat and died instantly. The three friends all fell into the flames in a heap as they were tied together.

h.  What did Nebuchadnezzar see as he gazed into the flames?     (verses 24-25)

He saw the men in the fire get up and walk around and a fourth man was with them who shone brighter than the fire, and who he recognised as the Son of God.

i.  What did he do?  (verse  26a)

He went over to the furnace and called them to come out.

j.    What fact about them had impressed itself on his mind?    (verse 26b)

The fact that they were the servants of the Most High God.                                           

k.   What did all the other officials notice about them?    (verse 27)

Not only were they alive and well, but there was no sign (sight or smell) of them ever having been near a fire.

l.  What principle do we see in this story?                 

The same as earlier… those who honour God will be honoured by Him.

m.  What other promises do we have in the Bible that tie in with this story?  (Job 1:9-10; Psalm 34:7; Mark 16:17-18 )

That God’s angel surrounds His people and protects them from harm. Our Lord Jesus Himself said that His followers would be protected from danger in the course of doing His work. God has a hedge placed around His people to keep the evil one from destroying them.

2.  Verses  28-30    

a.   What about Job and all the troubles he went through?     (Job 42: 7c-15)

Satan was taunting God about Job’s faithfulness just being for what he could get out of it. God knew He could count on Job to remain faithful to Him in spite of the loss of family, possessions and health. Satan was only allowed to go only so far with Job, and Job became the classic case of a godly man being what he ought to be in the face of disasters. Not only were men observing his reactions, but all the heavenly host, both good and bad were watching him too. Job honoured God, and God honoured him in the end too.

b.   What should this teach us?       (1 Corinthians  4:9 )

To behave ourselves in a manner to honour God when things aren’t going right, and to remember that the angels (as well as people)  are all watching to see what our reactions will be.

c.  What effect did this incident of the men in the furnace have on Nebuchadnezzar?  (verse 28)

He was profoundly moved and greatly impressed, and was convinced that the Jews’ God was greater than any of his idols and the great  image. He recognised that there was a great and living God in heaven because he was smart enough to know that his gods couldn’t have done this sort of thing.

d.  What new law did he bring out?   (verse 29)

That no person was to speak against the God of Heaven….if they did, they would be totally annihilated!

e.     What did he do for Shadrach, Meshec and Abednego?          (verse 30)

He promoted them to higher positions in their own right.

Daniel Four….(verses 1-37)

1.      Verses 1-30    

a.  In chapter three we saw Nebuchadnezzar recognising that there was a God in heaven with great power when he saw how the three friends were delivered from the fire, and for standing firm in their beliefs. What did Nebuchadnezzar say and who did he say it to ?    (verses 1-3)

He sent out a letter to all his people in every part of his kingdom saying that the God in heaven was the greatest and mightiest God in the universe, and that His kingdom was the everlasting kingdom.

b.  How much real understanding did he really have at the beginning of the next episode?  (verses 8-9)

Not a lot….he knew that Daniel’s God was different and more powerful than his other gods, and that He was holy and alive, but otherwise he classed Him in his mind as just another one of the gods.

c.    How personal did He see Daniel’s God?      (verses 8-9)

He had Him all mixed up in his mind with his other pagan gods….. he was in charge of the gods, not that he was responsible in any way to Daniel’s God.

d.   How relevant is this way of thinking to today’s society?                   

People today think that they can take this religious business with a grain of salt…..it’s OK for those who want it, but it is an optional thing for them. They make God as they want Him to be….they don’t take the time to research  ALL of God’s attributes. They don’t want to see that God is a holy and just God as well as a God of love.

e.   What does the Bible say about this way of thinking?       (Matthew 7:13-14)

It says there are two ways to live one’s life….on the wide way which everyone is born into and which leads inevitably  to eternal death and destruction, or the narrow way which leads to God and His heavenly home, and which not many people make the effort to find.

f.  Where does everyone have to start when wanting to know God?      (Hebrews 11:1-3, 6)

A person must have a basic belief in the existence of God who created the world, and faith that He hears the prayers and calls of people….this is FAITH. Without faith it is impossible to believe.

g. What confidence did Nebuchadnezzar have in Daniel’s ability to interpret dreams?   (verse 9)

He knew that Daniel had the Spirit of the Holy God to tell him the meanings of dreams.

h. Nebuchadnezzar was a great believer in dreams….what was this dream?     (verses 10-16)

He saw this mighty tree that gave shelter and food to birds and beasts…..it was so large that it completely filled the earth. Then he saw Someone come from heaven and cause it to be cut down, leaving only the stump in the ground. The heart of this tree would become like a beast’s rather than a man’s heart.

i.    How did Daniel feel after the meaning was revealed to him? why?    (verse 19a)

He was troubled and afraid to tell the king because the dream was not favourable to Nebuchadnezzar at the end.

j.  How plain was the meaning of the dream?    (verses 19b-26)

Very plain indeed….Nebuchadnezzar was the mighty tree and he would be cut down and removed for seven years….he would become like an animal until he would recognise and acknowledge God in heaven.

k.  What did Daniel advise him to do to avoid this?     (verse 27)      

To repent of his sins and do righteously….to show mercy to the poor.

l. What is required of people today to find this life in God?      (Micah 6:8; Acts 16:31)

To believe on Jesus Christ, not just with their heads, but with their hearts. A big difference. People are happy to do good things to earn their way to heaven, but they overlook the fact that God requires them to humble themselves to confess their sin and to walk with Him.

m.   What does that involve?             (Galatians 1:23)

It involves a complete turnaround of a person’s life, ideas and motivation. It is no use making a mental assent with nothing else to show…a person’s life has to change.

n.   In what way did Nebuchadnezzar’s life NOT change?       (verse 30)                            

He remained proud and arrogant, taking all the credit to himself for his mighty kingdom.

2. Verses 31-37    

a.  What happened to Nebuchadnezzar when he took all the credit to himself for all his mighty kingdom ?    (verses 31-33)

God struck him down and his reason left him….God took his kingdom and everything that he had gloried in, right away from him.

b.  Can you think of any modern examples of this principle?  (Isaiah 42:8;  Acts 12:21-23)

Who styled himself as “The Greatest” ?         Mohammed Ali         His health was taken away.

Who did people laud as “The King of Pop”?  Elvis Presley            He committed suicide.

Who set herself up as the “Queen of Hearts”?  Princess Diana        Killed in a car accident.

c.    What is the attitude of the believer to be?      (1 Timothy 6:6)

To live a godly life, content in the Lord; to not strive after riches.

d.   What is the believer to remember with regard to having riches?   (1 Timothy 6:7)

That everyone came into the world with nothing, and everyone will go out with nothing.

e.   Does this then mean that money and possessions are bad for a believer to have?  (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

No, there is nothing right or wrong in money itself….it is the LOVE of money that leads to all sorts of sins, causing people to become proud and arrogant, riding roughshod over others to get it.

f. What should the attitude of a wealthy believer be?     (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

To continue to trust in the Lord, not in their money,  and to share what they have with others less fortunate.

g.   How long was Nebuchadnezzar without his reason? What did he end up looking like and doing?   (verses 32-33)

He thought he was an animal and he lived outside, eating grass like a cow. His hair grew until it covered him, and his nails became like claws. He stayed like this for seven years, while his son reigned as regent, and then one day his reason returned to him.

h. What was he like when he came to his senses?     (verses 34-36)

He blessed the God of heaven, and praised and honoured Him as the only true God….he was no longer proud and arrogant, but realised that all he had was given to him by God, and that God had the power to take it away from him. He knew he was NOTHING compared to God, and he praised God for His majesty and might.

i.    What is another example of this principle in the Bible?            (Luke 15:13-24)

The prodigal son was proud and arrogant, wanting his inheritance NOW. As a result he lost it all, and it wasn’t until it was all gone that he came to his senses and confessed his sin to his father, thus regaining his position.

j.  What realisation did Nebuchadnezzar finally come to?     (verse 37)

That God was the King of Heaven, and His works were true. He would judge those who ignored Him, and demote  those who were lifted up in pride.

k.  In spite of all this, what does God call Nebuchadnezzar in Jeremiah 25:9, and 43:10?       

He calls him “my servant”…..God used him to bring judgement on Israel and the surrounding heathen nations.

l.  What does this show us?    (Genesis 50:19-20)

It shows us how God sometimes uses evil  people to bring about His purposes, even when they are unaware of it.

Daniel Five….(verses 1-31)

1.      Verses 1-31    

a. Belshazzar was actually the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar….what did he do in this incident? (verse 1)

He put on a great feast of food and wine.

b.  What did he use for his food platters and cups?    (verses 2-3)

The gold and silver pieces that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.

c.    What was the ultimate insult Belshazzar did to God?      (verse 4)

Not so much getting drunk over these holy dishes, but that they were praising and honouring their idols and heathen deities while they ate and drank.

d.  How did God regard the things connected with the sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple?    (Numbers 4:18-20;  1 Chronicles 15:2, 12-14)

As being holy to Himself, and only to be handled by those of designated families and in the correct manner.

e.   How are we as believers told to regard the Lord’s Supper?   (1 Corinthians 11:26-28)

To regard it as holy to the Lord, and not to take of it lightly without examining ourselves and our attitudes and motives first

f.  Did God allow this feast to proceed? What happened to take the fun away and replace it with fear?    (verses 5-6)

At the height of the festivities, people saw a bodiless hand appear and write on the wall of the room.

g.    How did the king feel when he saw this? Did he understand the words?   (verse 7)

The king was filled with terror, so much so, that he became a quivering mess with knocking knees and shaking joints. He didn’t have a clue what the writing said.

h.    What did he do next? Was that any help?   (verse 8)

He called in his wise men, magicians and sorcerers, but none of them could read the writing either.

i.  Who thought of Daniel?     (verses 10-12)

The queen  heard of the commotion (possibly the king’s mother) and said there was one man who would be able to help….he was different from the other wise men  and had an excellent knowledge of dreams and hard things, she said.

j.  What did Daniel remind Belshazzar of when he was brought before him?  (verses 17-21)

He reminded him of Nebuchadnezzar’s mighty  majesty  and kingdom which God had given him and how that when he became proud and arrogant, God took it away from him and he became like an animal for seven years until he realised that there was a God in heaven who he was responsible to.

k.  What did Daniel go on to say about Belshazzar?    (verses 22-23)

That he already knew this but he had become like his grandfather in pride, even to using the golden dishes for his food and desecrating them by praising the idols over them. In all this, he had totally ignored the God of Heaven.

l.  He then told the meaning of the writing on the wall….what was it?     (verses 24-28)  

MENE              God has finished your kingdom

TEKEL             You have been weighed up by God and are lacking

PERES             Your kingdom is going to be divided by the Medes and Persians.

m.    Does is seem that Belshazzar really believed this?  (verse 29)

It seems that he didn’t because he carried on with his party and feted Daniel, making him the third ruler in the kingdom that night.

n. History tells us that while this party was going on, the enemy were diverting the river that flowed through the city and were coming up the dry riverbed. What does the Bible say happened?     (verses 30-31)

That night, Belshazzar was killed by the enemy army, and Darius the Mede, a man of sixty-two years of age, took the kingdom.

o.  What lesson can we take from this incident?    (Galatians 6:7-8)

That pride comes before a fall!! God is in charge and He will not be mocked or ignored for ever….payment will be required. Whatever we sow, we will reap the same. If we sow to only this world, we will reap sorrow and dissatisfaction; if we sow to the things of God, we will reap everlasting life and peace WITH God. as well as the peace OF God.

p.   What valuable lesson did Nebuchadnezzar learn that Belshazzar had failed to take note of?    (Daniel 4:37)

That the living God is the only one to be praised and extolled….He is the One who can abase the proud…..Belshazzar remained proud and paid the price for it.

Daniel Six….(verses 1-28)

1.   Verses 1-28    

a. What is odd about Daniel in verse 2? Remember that Darius was the conquering king……

The fact that he was still classed among  the  top ranking officials….one would have thought that Darius would have had his own advisors and top officials.

b.  What was Daniel’s position in the new regime? What did Darius think of him?     (verse 3)

There were 120 reigning princes (or governors) and three presidents over them…..Daniel was the top one of these three. Darius could see and appreciate his qualities and was considering making him regent to rule in his place, thus freeing him of all responsibility.

c.    What did the other governors think o f this idea?      (verse 4)

They didn’t like it and were jealous of Daniel, so they tried to find some fault in Daniel’s administration so they could accuse him to the king, but they couldn’t find any.

d.   What ruse did they concoct that would catch him out?      (verses 5-9)

They figured they could only catch him out in the matter of his religion…..Daniel was so methodical and organised that they knew he never missed his three times a day prayer time in front of his open window. So they went to the king asking him to make a new law which stated that no person was to ask any petition of any person or god for thirty days.  They brought this paper to Darius to sign and he was so flattered that he signed it without thinking of the consequences.

e.   Did Daniel know about this and the consequences for himself being involved in it if he continued his daily prayer times?    (verse 10)

Yes, he knew and made a conscious decision to continue.

f.   What attitude did Daniel show in this matter which we see he had right from a young man?    (Daniel 1:8)

He had purposed in his heart that he would continue to honour God no matter what the consequences would be.

g.    How did the king feel when he realised he had been tricked by these men to destroy Daniel? What did he do?    (verses 12-15)

He was full of remorse and anger against himself….he tried to find some way round this terrible predicament that he had put himself into but there was none. Daniel HAD to be put into the lion’s den!

h. What did the king say to Daniel when he saw him being taken away?       (verse 16b)

“Your God Whom you serve continually will deliver you!”

i.  Do you think Darius really believed this statement he had just made? Why?     (verse 18)

It was only a HOPE, not a CERTAINTY that Darius had. We know this because he spent a sleepless night worrying about it all…..he had no real faith that Daniel would survive.

j.  What did the king do first thing in the morning? What did his men expect to find?    (verses 19-20)

He rushed off the den and called out to Daniel to see if his God had actually worked a miracle. His men expected to find just a few shreds of clothing and full lions!

k.   What sort of night had Daniel had? What do you think he would have done?      (verses 21-22)

Daniel had had a peaceful night….the angel of the God had shut the lion’s mouths and quietened them right down. Daniel would have been praying and thanking God for this and then probably had a good night’s sleep along with the lions!!

l.   What does verse 23 tell us?     

Daniel was taken out of the den and didn’t have a scratch on him because he believed in God.

m. Were the lions still hungry? What happened when Daniel was taken out of the den?      (verse 24)

They were hungrier than ever! Those who had accused Daniel were then thrown in (with their families) and they were pounced on before they reached the bottom, and torn to pieces.

n.   What did Darius do now that Daniel was back?   (verses 25-28)

He made another ruling that all his people were to tremble and respect Daniel’s God because he IS the living God with an everlasting kingdom,  and had the power to deliver Daniel.

o.    What principle have we seen over and over in the life of Daniel that still holds good today?     (1 Samuel 2:30b)

Those who honour God, are honoured by Him.

Daniel Seven….(verses 1-28)

In the rest of this book study, no attempt has been made to work out future events…. we will look at a collection of  thoughts that will hopefully be helpful and relevant to believers today…….

1.      Verses 1-14    

a. Read the whole chapter through in one sitting…state briefly what your impressions are…..

It is a panoramic view of the whole of the history of man with kings rising one after another until the kingdom of God comes in, which is everlasting and will never cease.

b.  What does each one of the beasts represent?     (verse 17)

A ruthless king with despotic power.

c.    What is the picture in verses 9-14?     

It represents the great judgement day when the books of God are opened and all humans ever born will stand before Him.

d.   How does verse 9 compare with the description given in Revelation 1:12-15? What impression does one get from trying to visualise it?     (verses 5-9)

It is almost the same…..the Son of Man and the ancient of Days both surrounded by a fiery light…..persons in whom is no darkness of any sort…..clothes and hair snowy white with eyes and feet like shafts of fire piercing right to the centre of everything….before whom nothing is hidden!

e.   What does verse 10 describe? Who will be there?                

It describes the great judgement day when the books are opened before the Great Judge…..all will be present from those who serve Him (thousands and thousands) to the rest (ten thousands times ten thousands)

f.   What do we notice from the numbers given?                      

There are far more of those who don’t serve Him than those who do…..billions against millions.

g.    What are we told about the Son of Man in verses 13-14? What does Philippians 2:9-11 add to this picture?             

Our Lord Jesus Christ presents Himself before the Father who in turn presents Him to all people who have ever lived, and every knee will bow before Him and proclaim Him Lord of all. Those who belong to Him will do it joyfully and full of love and praise for the One who had redeemed them, and those who are not His, will do it under duress and with great remorse and regret (and perhaps still with hate in their hearts), but do it they will. They will have to admit that He is indeed the Lord of all, this One they have ignored, despised, blasphemed and hated during their lifetime. God will be glorified in this one great obeisance before His precious and beloved Son!

h. How did Daniel feel after seeing this vision?       (verse 15)

He was puzzled and bothered much by what he had seen, so much so, that he asked one of the angels in his dream what it all meant              

i.   He was told the meaning in verses 17-18…..what was it?

It was a picture of the whole of human history….one great king would arise after another until God’s eternal kingdom is complete and the history of this earth is finalised and complete.

j.    It is all neatly summed up in verse 22….what is it?   

God will step into man’s affairs visibly and give the kingdom over to His people and time will cease to be. Eternity will be ushered in.

k.   Verses 26-28 reiterate this…what do they say?     

The judgement day WILL come….earth’s kingdoms will be totally destroyed, and God’s people will come into their kingdom….and that is the end of the matter!

l.   How did Daniel feel about all these  revelations?      (verse 28b)

It bothered him considerably and he couldn’t forget it. Perhaps this is why he wrote it all down.

m.   What should the attitude of the believer be when contemplating these things?      (1 John 2:28; 3:2-3; 2 Peter 1:4-11)

We should be looking forwards to this day and abide in Christ and His teaching so we won’t be ashamed before Him when He comes for us. We know we will be like Him in that day, and we should be purifying ourselves day by day in the light of that coming. Peter gives practical ways we can prepare ourselves for that coming day when we shall be ushered into the eternal state of God’s Kingdom.

Daniel Eight….(verses 1-27)

1.      Verses 1-27    

a. How long was the period of time between the two visions?   (verse 1; chapter 7:1)

Two years.

b.  What was this vision a picture of?             (verses 4-5)

Nations pushing and trampling one another….all striving for the supremacy….like a goat and ram fighting each other.

c.  Who explained the meaning of it to Daniel? What happened to Daniel when this was about to be explained?      (verses 16-19)     

The angel Gabriel was sent to Daniel and when he saw him, he collapsed in fear and was unconscious with his face to the ground.

d.   What did Gabriel do for Daniel?     (verse  18)

He picked him up to stand upright and then explained the meaning of the vision to Daniel.

e.   What did Gabriel say these fighting animals and their horns meant?  (verses 19-23)  

They were nations and generals within those nations…Mede and Persia, Greece and Rome.

f.   What do we see happening in verses 24-25?                

A mighty king is given power to try to destroy the Prince of princes, but fails in this effort.

g.   What does Scripture teach us is going on in the realms round about humanity?     (Ephesians 6:12; Romans 8:38)                 

That there is a struggle by evil forces to overthrow anything that is good.

h.    How does Paul describe these forces?             

As principalities, powers and the rulers of darkness and wicked spirits that still have access to heavenly places.

i. What glimpse are we given of this in Job?       (Job 1:6-12)

We see that Satan presented himself before God,  along with the other angels.

j.   What was the ultimate effort of the power of darkness?            (verse 25b)

To destroy the Lord of Glory, the Prince of princes.

k.    In trying this, what did Satan achieve?                (Genesis 3:14-15)

His own demise….in bruising the heel of the Son of Man, his own fate was sealed….Christ’s Kingdom began and will grow until the end of time.

l.   How did Daniel feel after all these revelations?      (verse 27)

He fainted and felt sick, and continued to puzzle over the vision he had seen.

Daniel Nine….(verses 1-14)

1.      Verses 1-14 

a.    When was the setting of this chapter?            (verse 1)

In the first year of King Darius, son of  Ahasuerus, who had conquered Belshazzar.

b.  What was Daniel doing in verse 2?  What did he come to realise?           

He was reading Jeremiah’s writings and found that Jerusalem would be desolate for seventy years, and he realised that the seventy years were nearly up.

c.    What effect did reading this have on Daniel?      (verse 3)     

It stimulated him to a prayer of confession and contrition for himself and his nation.

d.   What effect should reading the Scriptures have on us today?     (2 Timothy 3:16)

It should stimulate  us to prayer….of confessions and of praise. It has a cleansing effect on our lives; it shows us where we are going wrong….it cuts away our very ideas and notions that are not right if we allow it to.

e.   Who else went deep into prayer for the nation of Israel?    (Deuteronomy 9:25; Ezra 9:5-15; Jeremiah 3:22b-25)  

Ezra and Moses as well as Jeremiah all prayed deeply for the nation of Israel.

f.   How long did Moses pray for Israel  at one stretch?   (Deuteronomy 10:10)

He  besought the Lord for the nation of Israel for forty days at a time.

g.   What did each of these men do in their prayers?                      

They confessed the nation’s sins as though they were their own….even though each of them were godly men, they identified with their nation’s sinfulness.

h.    What lesson can we learn from this?           (1 John 1:29)  

That we must take the humble place before the Lord when praying…..confession must take place if there is to be forgiveness.

i.    What does Daniel remember about the Lord in verse 7?           

That He is righteous and that righteousness belongs to Him.

j.  What else does he remember in verse 9?              

That God is a merciful and forgiving God.

k.    What else are we told about God’s mercy?      (Psalm 86:15)     

That He is overflowing with mercy and patience toward mankind….He isn’t willing that any should perish, but that all should come to know  Him and to live for ever.

l.   What does verse 11 say? What had Moses clearly told Israel?     (Deuteronomy 9:23-24)

All Israel had transgressed and disobeyed and now they were reaping the results….Moses said that they had always been rebellious and disobedient ever since he knew them.

m.   What did Joshua give the people as they settled into the new land?    (Joshua 24:15, 19-25)  

He gave them the choice of following the Lord and be blessed or disobeying and suffering a curse.

n.   What does verse 13 tell us that the people had refused to do?                

They would NOT repent and turn to God in prayer and confession.

o.   Are people any different today? Are they getting better and better?        (Revelation 9:20-21)              

People are still the same and will be until the end of time….they will put up with anything rather than turn to the Lord in repentance….they are not evolving into better characters.

p.    What does the Bible teach us about the heart of man?   (Jeremiah 17:9)  

That it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

2.  Verses 15-27  

a.    What was one facet of their history that the Jews never forgot, even to Stephen’s time?       (verse 15)

That Abraham was their ancestor and how they had been delivered from Egypt.

b.  What is this section of Daniel’s prayer concerned with?     (verses 16-19)

The great sins that Israel had committed in turning away from God.

c.    On what basis was Daniel appealing to God in verse 18?          

It was not because of any righteousness they had, but it was because of God’s great mercy.

d.   What does Peter say about this thought?     ( 1 Peter 1:3)

That it is only because of God’s ABUNDANT MERCY that we are able to be part of His family today, through what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in His death and resurrection.

e. Daniel begs forgiveness in verse 19….what do we have to do for forgiveness? (1 John 1:9)  

Confess our sins (naming them specifically) and God will forgive them (and forget them!)

f.   Did Daniel class himself as any better than the rest of Israel?    (verse 20a)

No, he was confessing his sins as well.

g. What answer did Daniel receive to his prayer while he was still praying?   (verses 20-23)  

The angel Gabriel came to him and told him about the vision he had seen and expanded on Jeremiah’s prophecy.

h.  What did Gabriel tell Daniel about how God regarded him?     (verse 23)

He told him that he was greatly beloved by God.

i.   In what ways are we told that God regarded both Moses and Abraham? (Exodus 33:11; James 2:23)     

He spoke face to face with Moses in a way that He did with no other person on earth; Abraham was referred to as  the “friend of God”.

j.   How does God regard believers today?     (1 John 3:1)

He loves them enough to call them His sons and bring them into His eternal family.

k.   How much does God love unbelievers?    (John 3:16)  

He loved them enough to give His only beloved Son to die for them.

l.   Who does Gabriel introduce into the prophecy now?      (verse 25)           

Messiah, the Prince of God.

m.   What did Gabriel say would happen to this Prince?        (verse 26)             

He would be cut off, but not for Himself.

n.    Who else had told about this coming One who would be great in Israel?  (Acts 7:37)  

Moses had foretold His coming back in the time of  his day.

o.   How do we know who this Messiah really was?      (John 4:25-26)  

This Messiah was Jesus Christ, and He said this Himself when talking to the woman at the well.

p.   In verse 27 it says that sacrifices and offerings were to cease….why was this?  (Hebrews 10:4-10, 16-23)           

Because the blood of animals could never TAKE AWAY sin….it only COVERED it until Jesus Christ came and offered Himself for the sins of the world by shedding His blood once for all. Those who accept this sacrifice are now free from their sins….God has forgotten them forever!!

q   What do we gather from the phrase at the end of verse 27?                   

That all these things are predetermined, and that God is working to a specific plan for the world.

Daniel Ten….(verses 1-21)

1.  Verses 1-9   

a. Compare verse 1 with the first verses of each of the previous chapters….what do you notice about (i.) Daniel’s time frame, and (ii.)   the occurrence of the visions?           

i.    Daniel lived through the reign of several different kings.

ii.   The visions only came to him now and again….there were sometimes years of gaps between them.

b.  What was  Daniel doing when the visions came to him?   (verses 2-4; chapter 7:1; chapter 9:21)

Sometimes they came to him while he was in bed at night, other times when he was praying and meditating on the Scriptures. This time Daniel had been fasting for three weeks.

c.    What was Daniel’s impression of this Person that he saw?         (verse 6) 

One of great brightness and light, with fiery colours and a voice that sounded like a vast crowd.

d.   What happened to the group with Daniel when this Person appeared to him?     ( verse 7)

Daniel was the only one who saw him and he collapsed face down on the ground. The others didn’t see anything but they sensed the Presence and were filled with trembling and ran off to hide.

e.   How does Daniel’s vision compare with John’s?     ( Revelation 1:13-17)

Very much the same…..one of immense light and brightness with a voice like the breaking surf or rushing stream…..his reaction was the same, to fall on the ground unconscious.

f. What about Paul’s vision and reaction?     (Acts 9: 3-7)  

He too fell on the ground when the great light appeared. The men with him heard a voice but saw nothing.

g.   What do each of these visions show us?      (1 Corinthians  4:9)

That there are spiritual beings all around us which we cannot see, and which observe our behaviour.

h.   What other story confirms this fact?      (2 Kings 6:15-17)

The story of Elisha who trusted in the Lord in a time of great danger…..he KNEW God’s army was surrounding him, but the young man with him couldn’t see them until Elisha prayed that he would be able to.

i.    What lesson can we learn from all these things?   (Ephesians 6:12)  

That humans are very small and insignificant and not as smart as they  think they are, and that there are many more REAL unseen beings around them than is realised, both good and bad.

j   What do these glimpses of the glory of God show us?    (2 Corinthians 12:4)  

That there is still much for man to realise…..we could not stand gazing at the glory of God as our eyes, mind and body could not stand the immense light nor could we comprehend what we were looking at.

2.      Verses 10-21   

a.    What helped Daniel get up again?         (verse 10)  

A supernatural hand placed him on all fours and a comforting word enabled him to eventually stand up again.

b.  What assurance did Daniel have from this Being?     (verse 11)   

That he was greatly loved and that there was a special message for him from God.

c.  What had hindered this messenger from getting through to Daniel? How long had it taken? (verses 12-13)     

The prince of the  kingdom of Persia had withstood him for three weeks.

d.   How do we know these “princes” refers to supernatural beings?     (Jude 1:9a)

Because Jude tells us that Michael is an archangel…..one of the highest ranking angels who is vitally concerned in the affairs of men.

e.   What does Paul tell us about this unseen world around us?    (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12)  

That it is very real….we have been delivered from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light, but we still have these invisible foes tempting us to do wrong. There is only one way to handle it and that is with God’s armour.

f.   This Being (or angel) who had come to Daniel ….what was his purpose?      (verse 14)           

To strengthen Daniel, to encourage him, and to show him things in the Scriptures.

g.   What sort of passage back was this angel expecting to have? Who would help him?        (verse 20)             

He was expecting a rough time from the evil angels of both Persia and Greece, but he knew that Michael would come to his aid.

h.    Where did Michael get his strength from?    (Jude 1:9c)  

From God Himself….the “Lord rebuke you” he would say.

i   How did Daniel feel while seeing this vision?      (verses 17-19)  

Faint and breathless,  until he was touched with heavenly strength.

Daniel Eleven….(verses 1-45)

1. Verses 1 -45 

a.    What was Daniel doing for King Darius by giving him these revelations?   (verse 1)

He was confirming his faith and strengthening him.

b.  What experience had Darius had to prove to him the might of Daniel’s God?  (chapter 6:19-27) 

When Daniel had been preserved from death in the lion’s den supernaturally by God.

c. What is one of the most important things believers can do for each other? (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

To encourage each other  in the Lord, to establish. To build up and not tear down with criticism.

d.    Read the whole chapter through in one sitting now….what is your impression of what you have read?

That king after king rises up then falls…..there is no continuous line of the same branch of kings. There is continual fighting and over throwing, corruption, greed, pride, and taking of taxes with these leaders. Great men, yes; good men, no!

e.  What does our Lord Jesus say about this sort of thing?    (Matthew 24:3-22)

That history has been and will continue to be, in a state of turmoil with wars and rumours of wars right to the end of time.

f.    What do verses 32-33 tell us about?

Those who know God in these times will remain strong and preach the Word far and wide in spite of persecution right until the end. But even then,  some of them will fall and take others with them.

g.   What sort of picture do you get of the last king?     ( verse 36)

A really wicked and proud man who exalts himself above God and yet he too will come to an end and be judged ….all this is according to God’s predetermined plan.

h. What does the last phrase of verse 36 tell us?

That God’s plan WILL be accomplished.

i.   What does Revelation tell us about the end of all evil?     ( Revelation 19:19-20; 20:10)

That those who promote it and lead in it will be thrown into the lake of fire for all eternity, and the devil who deceived them will be sent to join them.

j. How should knowing these things affect us today?     (John 3:36; Romans 1:18)

It should make us be obedient to God and to believe on his son Jesus Christ, so we can escape the judgement of God and the fires of eternal separation from all that is good.

Daniel Twelve….(verses 1-13)

1.  Verses 1-13  

a.    Who is going to stand up for the Jewish people at the end of time?     (verse 1a)

The great angel Michael, and the nations  won’t be able to prevail against him.

b.  Who is going to be delivered at that time?       (verse 1b)

Those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

c.    How is the book of Life described in Revelation?       (Revelation 21:27b)

As the Lamb’s book of Life.

d.   When was this Book written up?     ( Revelation 17:8b)

Long before the world began.

e. What does this show us?    (Acts 17: 25b-26; Ephesians 1:4)

That God is working to a plan that was drawn up before He ever began His work of Creation.

f.   What is going to happen to all those who have already died before this time of judgement? Will they escape it?     ( verse 2; Revelation 20:11-15)

All human beings are  going to be brought back as living souls to answer for their deeds while they were alive. There is no escape whatsoever.

g. How does verse 2 describe the results of this judgement?     (Revelation 20:11-15)

People will either end up with everlasting life, or shame and everlasting contempt, the second death.

h. How are the wise ones described in verse 3?                    

As bright shining lights like the stars for ever.

i.   How does God  regard those who miss out?     ( Matthew 25:10-12)

He will say that He never knew them! They refused to get ready and come into His family, and so they miss out altogether.

j.   Compare the descriptions of the judgement in Daniel and Revelation …     ( verse 2; Revelation 20:12-15)

They are almost identical, thus showing that it will surely happen in this way.

k.    How do we see verse 4b being fulfilled today?

The amount of technology that is advancing so quickly is phenomenal, and as for air travel all over the world, it was un-thought of seventy years ago.

l.  How do we know that this increase of knowledge is not just man getting cleverer and cleverer?    (James 1:17)

Because everything that man has and knows is given by God….man is so smart in this area and yet no further ahead than he has ever been in relationships and matters of keeping peace. There is still corruption and fighting as much as ever; the heart of man needs to be changed.

m.    Why do we not know the exact time the end will come?   (Acts 1:7)

God has not given this knowledge to man…..He has only given pointers, of which we see more and more occurring all the time.

n.   How does Matthew 24:36 expand this thought?    

No-one but God the Father knows the exact time of Christ’s return.

o. What is man’s responsibility in the light of all this?  (Matthew 24:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6)

To be ready and waiting, living godly lives in spite of all the wickedness around.

p.   Why was Daniel’s message not more specific with regard to timing?   ( verses 9, 13)

This is the way God wants it to be.

Book of Hosea.

Hosea  One ….(verse 1)

1.  Verse  1    

a.  What time frame was Hosea speaking God’s message?     (verse 1)

He preached through the reigns of four kings of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam, son of Joash king of Israel.

b.  What sort of kings  were they and what standards did they set up for the people?    

2 Kings 14:23-24…..    Jeroboam, king of Israel, was an ungodly man with wicked ways.

2 Chronicles 26:3-4…. Uzziah followed the Lord but didn’t destroy the idolatrous places.

2 Kings 15: 33-35….    Jotham was the same

2 Kings 16:1-4…          Ahaz reverted back to complete idolatry, and set up his own worship.

2 Kings 18:1-7….         Hezekiah turned back to the Lord and reinstated temple worship and

Levitical priesthood.

a.    What did God tell Hosea to do?  Why ?     (verses 2-3)

He told Hosea to take a prostitute for his wife as a picture of Israel which had prostituted itself to idols

b.  What was the eldest boy’s name? Why did God want him called this?  (verse 4;  2 Kings 10:11) 

He was called Jezreel after the town where Jehu had killed all the king’s sons….in this son’s time, the family line of Jehu died off for ever.

c.    A daughter was born next…..what does the margin of your Bible say the meaning of her name was?      (verse 6)

Lo-ruhamah means “No mercy”….God’s mercy towards Israel as a nation was finished….they would continue on  the inevitable path towards captivity.

d.   What about Judah as a people?                (verse 7)

God’s mercy would continue towards Judah for a while longer.

e.   What about the third child?                       (verse 9)

Lo-Ammi means “Not My People”…..Israel would be no longer God’s people.

1. f.       What does verse 10 tell us?

That even though the people of Israel would continue to multiply and God had wiped His hands of them, yet in a time to come a people would be raised up to God with one Head and one purpose.

g.  When do we see this happen?     (John 10:16)

It will happen in the Lord Jesus Christ when all peoples are able to come together to God as one people with One Head.

Hosea  Two ….(verses 1-23)

1.   Verses 1-2    

a.   What is the overall picture in this chapter?    

That of a wife and mother who is unfaithful to her husband.

b.  What is this used as a  picture of?          (verse 13; Ezekiel 23:1-14)

The people of Israel who should have remained faithful to their God, but who went after idols instead.

c.    What was God’s immediate reaction to these people?      (verses 3-4)

One of anger and chastisement….they needed to be taught a lesson.

d.   What had Israel completely forgotten?    (verse 8)

All of God’s goodness,  provision and deliverance for them in the past.

e.   What lesson is there in this for God’s people today?       (Hebrews 12:5-11)

To always keep in mind our dependence on Him….if we become complacent and drift, God will chastise us as children to bring us back to Him.

f.   What does Isaiah tell us?    (Isaiah 54:5-8)

That God is as a husband to His people….even though they may wander off and forget Him, He will never forget them, but will always be ready to forgive when they come back in repentance.

g.   How are we to regard disasters and  disappointments that come into our lives?    (Hebrews 12:9-11)

As God’s way of teaching us lessons in how to trust in Him and to depend on Him at  ALL times.

Hosea  Two ….(verses 1-23)

1.  Verses 1-23     

a.  What is the first part of this chapter all about?  (verses 1-15)

It is all about an unfaithful wife who has left her husband to play with other men.

b. What was the main thing that disappointed the Lord?  (verse 13; Exodus 20:1-5; Jeremiah 18:15) 

The fact that His people had forgotten all that He had done for them and gone after useless idols. He wanted them to put Him first in their lives and they refused to do this.

c.  What is God’s attitude to ALL people today ?     (verses 20, 23; Revelation 22:17)

It is one of longing that they will turn back to Him in repentance and learn to depend on Him

d.  What is acting independently of God  (doing your own thing)  called?

It is disobedience, and therefore pride and sin.

e.  What was the condition of the people’s betrothal to God?      (verses 18-20)

God will bring the people to the point where they will accept His new covenant.

f.   What is this covenant that God is making with people today?  (Hebrews 9:14-15)

It is a totally new covenant made through the blood of His beloved Son whereby people can know Him and know that have been forgiven and their past sins forgotten.

g.   How does Peter use and expand on verse 23?      (1 Peter 2:9-10)

He points out that ALL believers are God’s chosen people who were once without the mercy of God but now have obtained it….they were once in spiritual darkness, but are now in God’s marvellous light.

Hosea  Three ….(verses 1-5)

1.   Verses  1-5    

a.   What did God ask Hosea to do?     (verses 1-3)

To marry a prostitute….whether this refers to the first wife or a subsequent one, we are not told.

b.  What was this a  picture of in God’s mind?          (Hosea 1:2)

A picture of God’s people who had gone deep into idolatry and who would later turn back to Him.

c.    How far away from God had the people drifted?      (verse 4)

As far as a people could go…..they had no king or royal family, and no form of worshipping God….there were no sacrifices or religious ceremonies at all.

d.   What does verse 5 tell us?           

That the people of God would turn back to Him and that someone from the house of David would be their king, and they would fear God and follow Him once more.

e.   In what way do we see this being fulfilled today?

People who have previously not followed God, have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ  who was the “Son of David” and now follow the Lord and His ways and become the part of the people of God.

f.  Some may think this is a fanciful explanation of verse 5 and that it should be taken literally, but look at each of the following references and examine them carefully…..

Jeremiah 33:17-22….. God says categorically that there will never be a time when David has not got a  descendant sitting on the throne of Israel or a Levite to offer sacrifices to Him.

Revelation 22:16….     Jesus Christ calls Himself as being “the Seed of David”, and He is the believer’s Lord and King reigning in their hearts and lives.

Galatians 3:6-16, 29… Paul tells us that ALL believers are part of Abraham’s family through faith in Jesus Christ .

1 Peter 2:9-10…..       Peter tells us that ALL believers are part of the Royal Priesthood of God who now offer sacrifices of praise to Him.

So we see  that down through the years there has never lacked a Son of David to reign, or priests to offer sacrifices of praise to God! This does not mean that there may not be a national return of Israel to God in the future, but that  this prophecy is already being fulfilled through the preaching of the Gospel.

God’s disappointment with His people’s behaviour comes through this book loud and clear…..their disobedience in following other gods and idols brought His wrath and judgement on their heads. Yet there has never been a time in the history of man when a sincerely repentant heart could not reach up to God.

     In these next chapters we find a few pearls, and will look at them as we come to them……

Hosea  Four ….(verses 1-19)

1.  Verse  1-19    

a.   What is the condition of  man here?     (verses 1-2)

God has an argument with  the people because they have no mercy, truth or knowledge of Him….they continually swear, lie, steal and live immoral lives.

b.  Can you see a parallel in these verses to the state of people today?      (Titus 3:3)   

Yes, this is the example children see in their parents and it is what they grow up to do themselves.

c.    What was the reason for this state of affairs?      (verse  6)

Lack of teaching and their rejection of the little they knew….they were not fit to be priests because they had completely forgotten God’s laws and turned away from them.

d.   What was the result of rejecting God and disobeying His Word?  (verse 10; Isaiah 55:1-3)

There was a spiritual hunger in their souls….they worked and bought, but there remained a spiritual dissatisfaction.

e.   What remedy did Jesus Christ offer, both for then and now?      (John 6:35, 51)

He said that He is the Bread of Life…..those who feed on Him will NEVER hunger or thirst again. We must feed our souls on His word by reading it and seeking His face in prayer as often as we eat physically!

f.   What was the end result then? What is it today for those who remain in this state of disobedience?  (verse 14; John 3:36)

God’s punishment will fall upon them….then it was the destruction of their land and being taken with captivity; today it is the destruction of the soul for all eternity and having to endure God’s wrath for ever.

g.   What do you think God means when He says He won’t  punish them for their immoral lifestyle?    (verse 14)

People are punished by the consequences of their own lifestyle in having broken relationships and families, and the threat of various types of STD.

Hosea  Five – Nine ….

1.  Chapter  5:6-7    

a. Why did God turn His face from the people?    

Their heart was not truly towards God… they were still practising sinful ways and habits…doing things that God had said specifically that they were to NOT do!

b.  What separates people from God today?         (Isaiah 59:2)

It is the same today as back then….God knows people’s hearts and knows whether they are sincere or not. People may be able to bluff each other, but they cannot bluff God.

c.  Does this mean there was (and is) no hope for these sort of people?  (verse 15; Ps 51:17; 1 John 1:9)

No, when a person sincerely repents and acknowledges their sin, and seeks God’s face, He will hear them and turn back to them.

2.  Chapter  6:1-3    

a.  What  were the people  thinking in these verses?    

“Let’s turn back to God and everything will come alright for us again….we will be healed and the rains will come again”.

b.  How did God view this thinking?         (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

He wants obedience, not sacrifices, mercy  to others and knowing Him more than burnt offerings.

c.  Where did all sin originate? What was this sin?      (Genesis 3:2-6)

It originated with Adam disobeying God and flouting his commandment….acting independently of God and doing things his own way.

3.  Chapter  7:1-2    

a. What was the attitude of the people?    

We can hide our sins from God, He won’t take any notice of what we do!

b.  Why was Ephraim described as a “silly dove” ?         (verses 11-14; Isaiah 30:1-3)

Because they stopped depending on the Lord for safety, and were depending on the surrounding nations and Egypt for security and protection.

c.  What is the picture here for us today? (Remembering that Egypt is a type of the world)  (1 John 2:15-16)

We are to not rely on worldly things for satisfaction or amusement, but learn to rely on the Lord Himself.

d. What had God done for them over the years?     

He had redeemed them and in their disobedience had chastised them.

e.   How had Israel responded in these things?   (verse 14)

They still refused to turn to God and wouldn’t cry to Him for help in the midst of their howling!

4.  Chapter  8….    

a.   What truth is portrayed in the following verses?    (verses 7-8; Galatians 6:7-8)

These people had sown to the wind and were now reaping the whirlwind.

b.  What does this mean ?        

They hadn’t gone in for the things in life that really mattered and now things had gone from bad to worse.

c.  What principle is shown in Galatians that applies to every single person on earth? (Galatians 6:7-8) 

We cannot get away with ignoring the existence of God and behaving foolishly….if we do, we will pay for it in the end. Those who seek God’s face continually will reap the benefit of this in everlasting life and peace; those who don’t will reap the whirlwind of eternal damnation and punishment.

d.  What had Israel done that was part of “sowing to the wind” ?     (verse 14)

They had forgotten their Maker, God, and built temples to other gods and given their allegiance to them.

5.  Chapter  9….    

a.   What is a brief overview of this chapter?            

It is a picture of the people of God leaving Him out of their lives and the consequences of this….there   were no offerings and sacrifices, no praise given to Him, and the protection and satisfaction they thought they were going to find elsewhere turned sour and  into nothing. They despised any who might point out their errors and lost their children in the process. There is complete barrenness in their life for God and they end up nothing and nobody before  God.

b.  Is this still true today of people who turn their back on God ?           

Yes, it is!

Hosea  Ten -Fourteen ….

1.  Chapter  10…

a.   Why had Israel become as an “empty vine”  before the Lord?   (verses 1-2

Israel was bringing no fruit for the Lord because their heart was divided….they were following idols, not the Lord.

b.  What were these calves of Bethaven?         (1 Kings 12:26-31)

They were idols that the people were worshipping, possibly still the same ones that Jeroboam had set up to keep the people loyal to him, and from going back to Jerusalem.

c.  What is significant about what the people say in verse 8?       (Revelation 6:14-17)

They have nothing left….their gods are destroyed and they are afraid to meet the one True God. They are going to say the same thing in the end times when they are shaking with fear and trying to hide from God’s judgement.

d.  What is the call in  verse 12 that still applies today?   (Isaiah 55:6; Romans 10:12)

It is time to seek the Lord while He is near, and to call on Him while He may be found!

2.  Chapter  11….    

a.  What is God’s feeling for His people that is displayed here?    (verses 1, 4)

Intense love…..He leads his people with cords of love….He doesn’t drive them, He wants them to respond to His great love and follow Him. It is because of His love that He deals with people as He does.

b.  Does this mean that only good things happen to God’s people?    (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:6)

Everything that happens, both good and bad, are for our learning, and for our ultimate good. Things may not seem good at the time, but the results turn out for our good in knowing God better.

c.  How does God feel towards ALL people, even those who turn their back on Him?  (John 3:16;  Ephesians 2:4)

God still loves them enough to have salvation open and waiting for them to take, by believing on His son, Jesus Christ.

d.  What does God mean when He says He is God and not a man? In what ways does God differ from man?       (verse 9; Numbers 23:19;  Isaiah 46:9-10; Habbakuk 1:13a)

God is holy through and through and cannot bear the sin which man is born into and wallows in! He knew (and knows)  ALL things  from the beginning of time and nothing takes Him by surprise. This is why He never has to change His mind. Man is finite and limited in his knowledge and often finds his thinking has been wrong….man can twist the truth to suit himself, but God is not like this. There is no other Being like God in His total omniscience (all knowing), omnipotence (all powerful) and omnipresence (everywhere at once). He knows everything, has all power and can pervade everywhere at once!!  Truly, He IS God and there are no others like Him!!!

3.  Chapter  12….   

a.  Read the whole chapter through…..in what ways do you see that man differs from God?

Verse 1…..Man feeds on the wind….he changes like the wind, he tells lies and feels desolate

Verse 7….Man deceives and oppresses others.

Verse 8… Man depends on money to get him out of trouble.

Verse 11…Man is steeped in sin.

Verse 14…Man provokes God to anger with his disobedience and sinfulness.

4.  Chapter  13….   

a.  What was the sin that finally tipped God’s wrath onto Israel?  (verse 2)

It was their idolatry in making idols and worshipping them.

b. We say how foolish they were to do this, but deep down are we any different? Do we have things that take the place of God in our lives? Can we honestly say that we love God with all our hearts and minds and souls? Does He come first in our actions, thinking and words?   (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 3:23))

Man is incapable of doing this while living in this body of flesh and sin; this is why Jesus Christ had to come to earth to die for the penalty of man’s sin. Then His Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life when they turn to Him and gives them the strength to do the best that a failing human being can do.

c. God was wanting a people for Himself, so what has He done to get them seeing they are incapable of going straight themselves? (verses 4-7; John 3:16)

In spite of man’s sin, God has revealed Himself to the people He brought out of Egypt; He knew their weaknesses but was still prepared to help them. In time, He sent His own Son to die for man’s sin so His holiness and justice would allow Him to say the penalty had been paid.

d. What do we see about people in verse 9? Where does man have to look to?

People inevitably destroy themselves….some people destroy themselves with drugs and addictions, while others destroy themselves with their pride not allowing them to turn to God and ask for help.

5.  Chapter  14….   

a.  What is God’s eternal call to mankind?  (verses 1-3)

Return to Me and confess your sin. Recognise there is no One else Who can help get them out of the mess of sin and disappointments.

b.  What does God do for people who have this attitude? (verses 4-6)

He receives them, and heals and loves them making them to prosper spiritually.

c. What will people realise when they turn to God?  (verse 8)

They will realise that their idols were useless, and only God can satisfy their spiritual needs.

d. What is the true wisdom that man needs to find?  (verse 9; Proverbs 9:10; John 17:3)

True wisdom is only found in knowing God and Jesus Christ who He sent; in doing this, they receive eternal life….an eternity of being with the Lord!

Book of Joel 

Joel  One ….(verses 1-20)

1.  Verses  1-20    

a.  Read the whole chapter through….what is it about?

It is about the condition and state of the land that has been ravaged by drought and plagues of locusts….there is nothing left for the people.

b.  What is the first thing that God tells the fathers is their responsibility?   (verses 2-3)

To teach their children the things and ways how the Lord taught and led their  people  through right from the beginning.

c.  Why was this necessary?     (Deuteronomy 6:2)

So the children would grow up to  know about the Lord first, and then reverence and follow the Lord and His ways, and the fact that they were His special people.

d.  How does Paul tell believers to bring up their children?  (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)

With encouragement and teaching of the ways of the Lord.

e.  Why is this?     (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

So they in turn will come to know the Lord and follow Him.

f.   What was the condition of the land in  Joel’s time ?     (verses 15-17)

God’s judgement  had come upon it from both natural causes (over-run with locusts and beetles), and the enemies which had destroyed the gardens and orchards.

g.  What else do verses 9-12 tell us?         

Worship in the temple had ceased so there was a spiritual famine in the land as well….all the crops were destroyed and there was no harvest. The fruit trees and grape vines were all withered and there was no joy in the land at all.

h.    What was the solution to this problem?      (verses 9, 13-14)

To turn back to the Lord in true and sincere  repentance.

i.   How were the animals faring? What else does Paul tell us about the effect sin has on all nature?  (verse 18; Romans 8:22)

There was no pasture for them and they were dying off. Creation as a whole is groaning under the effects of man’s sin and greed.

j.   What was all the land’s  condition primarily caused by?  (verse 13b)

It was caused by the people’s sin in with-holding praise and thanksgiving to God, and not giving their offerings to God; this caused God to punish them by sending drought conditions.

k.  What does Paul point out in  Galatians 5:15 will happen to believers if they do not keep loving each other as Christ commanded?         (John 13:34-35)

That if they continue to bite and devour each other in backbiting and gossip, their testimony will be consumed and gone.

Joel  Two ….(verses 1-32)

1.   Verses 1-32    

a.   Where was the alarm being sounded?    (verse 1)

It was being sounded in the midst of the people of God…they were about to be swallowed up by the enemy.

b.  Reading from verses 3-10, what can you see?         

It almost seems like modern warfare….flames and explosions, the approaching army in ranks that nothing can stop; the sound of machinery that will not be stopped. Then again, it could be plagues of locusts invading the land and darkening the sky invading the towns and houses.

c.  What does God remind the people of at this last moment before it was too late?      (verses 12-14)

Come to Me with ALL your heart….never mind the outward show of the Old Testament way of tearing your clothes….I don’t want to do you evil, that is why I am gracious, patient and merciful, and full of kindness.

d. For God to be merciful to the whole nation, who had to turn back to Him?    (verses 15-17)

Everyone, from the top to the bottom; from the leaders and priests down to the toddlers of the people.

e.   What would God’s reply have been if they had truly repented?    (verses 18-19)

God would have pity on the people and keep them in the land.

f.   What would God do for the people if they did this?          (verses 20-27)

He would drive away the enemy; He would give joy and gladness; He would send fruitfulness to them again and restore things as they were before they turned away from Him.

g.   What parallels do you see in this section to believers (God’s people) today?    (Hosea 14:1, 4; 1 John 1:9)

God’s principles still stand today….repentance brings forgiveness. Those who wander away and backslide have the opportunity to repent and come back to the Lord….God’s hand is ever stretched out to them….and when they do, the enemy is driven away, fears and guilt disappear. Joy and fruitfulness is once more a part of their life as they are restored to the Lord.

h.  How are we to regard disasters and  disappointments that come into our lives?    (Hebrews 12:9-11)

As God’s way of teaching us lessons in how to trust in Him and to depend on Him at  ALL times.

i.    What do we see happening in these verses ?    

God is making His Spirit available to all who turn to Him and delivers them from His judgement.

j.  When did Peter say this happened?    (Acts 2:14-23, 36)

It started on the Day of Pentecost and is still continuing today.

k.  What did Paul say about this?      (Romans 10:11-13)

Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved, both Jew and Gentile; God is ready to hear ALL who will call on Him.

Joel  Three ….(verses 1-21)

1.  Verses 1-21    

a.   What impression do you get from verses 1-6?          

That of a country in disarray….a people who are scattered and with no order in their land. The sort of mess that man without God makes.

b.  How can you relate that to people today?         

People who leave God out of their lives are like this….in disarray spiritually, and without hope for the future.

c.    What picture is presented in verses 7-14?    

A time of war between the nations and of judgement between God and man.

d.   What is verse 14 all about? What does a “decision” involve?     

It is about people having to make decisions….mankind doesn’t just drift into God’s judgement….every soul has to make a conscious decision for or against God.

e.   What is the greatest decision a  person ever has to make with the most far reaching results for themselves?          (Joshua 24:15)

Whether or not they will have dealings with God or if they will just choose to ignore the issue and hope it will go away.

f.   What do we see the people in Acts 2:36-41 doing?                       

They heard Peter’s preaching and many of them chose to believe it!

g.   What happens in verse 15?   

God steps visibly into the affairs of man.

h.   How does Revelation 21:1-7,  put it?   

This is IT….the end of time as man has known it since creation.

i.  Who else spoke of these same things happening ?    (Matthew 24:29-31)

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke of these things happening at the same time as He comes again to judge the earth.

j.  What do we see in verses 16-18, 20-21?               

God’s new city, the HOLY Jerusalem where He lives and Zion the place where His people are…. Only God’s people will be there….no strangers or evil will be there to spoil the atmosphere.

k.  What is the parallel mentioned in Revelation ?      (Revelation 21:22-27)

The new heavens and new earth and the Holy city, the new Jerusalem where there is no sin or sorrow.

l.  What does verse 19 speak of? what is it a picture of?

The land of Egypt being a desolation….Egypt is always a picture of the world in the Scriptures, and we are told that there is nothing that defiles or spoils in God’s holy city. The world has no part of God’s eternal home, it only for those who have been cleansed from their sins.

m.  What is the overall impression you have had from this book?

That man without God is an absolute disaster; and  God’s judgment  will fall as a result; but in the end evil will be put away and God will once more live in fellowship and communion with man as He intended it at the beginning.

Book of Amos.

Amos  One and Two …

1.  Verses  1-2   

a.     What sort of work did Amos do?     (verse 1)

He was a farmer, working with cattle.

b.  Under which kings did  Amos tell his message?     (verse 1)

The time was when both Jeroboam (Israel) and Uzziah (Judah) were reigning concurrently.

c.    How long did these kings reign for?      (2 Kings 14:23; 15:1-2)

Jeroboam reigned for 41 years and Uzziah for 52.

d.   What else is mentioned to pinpoint the exact time that Joel started his prophesying?    (verse 1c; Zecharaiah 14:5)

There was a tremendous earthquake in Judah during Uzziah’s regin….Amos started his preaching two years before this earthquake.

e.   What was the gist of Amos’ preaching?       (verse 2)

It was all about the wickedness of the nations and cities surrounding Judah and how God was going to judge them.

2.  Verses  3-15;  Chapter 2:1-16   

a.  What were the names of the places that are specifically mentioned?     (1:6, 9, 11,13;  2:1, 4, 6)

Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and then Judah and Israel.

b.  What does this show us about God’s people?    

That the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were no better than the surrounding nations, even though some of the kings followed the Lord, the hearts of the people were not right before God.

c.    What was Judah’s sin? Was it all that obvious?      (2:4)

Judah’s sin was turning away from God’s laws in their hearts….they despised God’s rules. It wasn’t all that obvious to others, but God knew!

d.   What was Israel’s sin? How did it show?    (2:6-8)

The leaders of Israel oppressed the poor, they lived immorally and they installed ilo worship blatantly in the land. They also despised God’s messengers who God had raised up to warn them to change their ways.

e.   What did God tell them was going to happen?     (2: 14-16)

That their army would be useless and the mighty men would become cowards and run away.

1. g.     What does all this tell us for today?    (Romans 3:23)

That all  have sinned today and are under God’s judgement.

g.  Is there any message of hope for us?     (John 20:31;  Romans 5:6, 8)

Christ died for me while I was yet a sinner and if I believe that He is the Son of God who died for me, I can be saved from my sin. It is a personal thing, (me)  not a corporate thing (we).

Amos  Three…(v.1-15)

1.  Verses  1-15

a.     What is God telling Israel in verses 1-2?    

“I brought you out of the land of Egypt….you have been as My children…..now you have wandered away and must be punished for your sins.”

b.  What do  these verses from Hebrews tell us about chastisement from the Lord? (Hebrews 12:6-11)

The Lord chastises those who He loves for their own good, to teach them lessons they need to learn.

c.    What principle is there in verse 3?     

Two people must agree on main things to walk in harmony together.

d.   How does Paul expand on this thought?    (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Paul points out that believers are not to be in partnership in any way at all with unbelievers….it will only bring strife and disagreements.

e.   What is God really telling the people in verse 3?      

You don’t walk in My ways or agree with My principles, so we can no longer walk together.

f.   What is (and always has been) God’s great desire for the human race?      (Psalm 81:10-16; Ezekiel 14:11)

To have a people for Himself who will love and trust Him and give Him their total allegiance, so He can be their God and bless them abundantly.

g.   What are verses 4-6 telling us?    

Do you think that calamities fall on beast and man, and the Lord doesn’t know about them? There are consequences for every action!

h.  What does God do BEFORE He brings destruction on a nation or people?  What was the result in these two cases? (Genesis 19:12-14; Jonah 3:4-5)

He warns them to get out of the place and/or repent of their sin. Lot had to be taken reluctantly out of the city for his safety by the angels, and in Jonah’s case, when the people were warned they repented and the destruction was averted.

i.  What warnings are people given today?  (John 3:16, 36; 2 Peter 3:9)

To repent of their sins, and believe in their hearts on the Lord Jesus Christ….God has done His part in giving His beloved Son, now man has to His part by believing this.

j. Who does God reveal His secrets to?    (verse 7; Ephesians 3:3-6; Colossians 1:25-27)

His servants the prophets who look to Him

k.    What did Peter tell us about this?      (1 Peter 1:10-12)

The prophets prophesied of these things but they didn’t really understand….even the angels wanted to know but the real facts were not known until they were revealed to the apostles.

l.   What does Paul say concerning this matter?

God has revealed NOW the things which were previously hidden from the prophets….the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ is freely made known and preached throughout the whole world.

m.   What does verse 8 and the first phrase of verse 9 tell us?                  

People take notice of a lion roaring and keep out of its way, so people should take notice of what God is saying in His Word to escape His judgement!

n.  What does verse 12 tell us ?                     

Just as a lion swallows a sheep leaving only bits of it behind, so Israel will be swallowed up by other nations, with only a few people left for God to rescue.

o.  What does the rest of the chapter tell us?     (verses 13-15)

Israel will pay the price of its disobedience and rebellion against God, and the land will be destroyed.

Amos  Four…(1-13)

1.  Verses  1-5   

a. How does God describe the leaders of Bashan and Samaria?  What were they doing?  ( verses 1-3)

As cows! They were oppressing their people, and sucking them dry.

b.  What was the significance of Bethel and Gilgal?   (Genesis 31:13; Joshua 4:19-24)

These were two places of great spiritual significance with God. Bethel was the place where God first showed Himself to Jacob, and He referred to Himself as the “God of Bethel”. Gilgal was the place where Israel crossed the river Jordan and first entered the promised  land. Israel had taken 12 stones out of the river and built a memorial to show  what God had done for them

c.    What significance did these places have in the time of Samuel the prophet?        (1 Samuel 7:15-17)

He visited both these places (which were on either side of the country) regularly as he judged the people.

d.   What was happening at these places now?    (1 Kings 12:28-33)

These two places of former holy significance  had been turned into places of heathen worship, starting with Jeroboam, son of Nebat.

e.   What was (and still is) God’s greatest desire for people?  (verses 4-5; Psalm 81:10-16)

That they would return to Him

f.   What did He cause to happen to try to bring them to this point?      (verses 6-11)

He withheld the rain; pests ruined the crops; other nations marauded the land, and some of the people were destroyed by natural disasters.

g.   How had Israel responded to all of this? What phrase is repeated in each verse?    (verses 8-11)

They had ignored God’s pleas….God says, “I have done all these things, and yet you haven’t returned to Me”

h.  What was the end result of this? What was God’s final warning at this time? (verse 12)

Prepare to meet your God!

i.    What does Genesis 6:3 tell us that still holds good for today?     

That God’s Spirit will not always strive with people.

j.   What warnings are we given in Hebrews 10:26-31?

That if we continue to sin wilfully, there is nothing left for us but God’s judgement….it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God still in one’s sins and in  an unforgiven state.!

k.   What does verse 13 tell us about God?                

That He is the One who created all things, has revealed His will to man, is above all and called the Lord God of Hosts!

Amos  Five…( 1-27)

1.  Verses  1-27

a.     What had happened to Israel at this time?   (verses 1-3)

Israel had left God out, and now God had forsaken them.

b.  In spite of this, what was God’s greatest desire? (verse 4)

For the people to leave their idols and heathen gods and turn back to Him.

c.    What is God’s great desire for people today?      (2 Peter 3:9b)

It is the same as then….He is not willing for any to perish, but wants ALL people to turn to Him in repentance.

d.   What does verse 8 tell us about God’s creation?  Where does global warming fit into all this?

That He has complete control of it all…. He knows all the stars by name….He can make the darkness light and the day dark if He wishes….He could make the tide come right in and cover the land if He wished. Global warming and climate change is completely under His control, not man’s!!

e.   What does the Bible tell us that God takes pleasure in?   (Psalm 147:11; Revelation 4:11)

All His creation generally, and specifically in those who fear Him .

f.   What does verse 10 tell us the attitude of the people was toward any who tried to what was good and right?

They were hated and ignored.

g.     What was one of the main sins of the people?               (verses 11-12)

They took advantage of and oppressed the poor as well as taking bribes to pervert justice.

h.  What effect did all this have on those who tried to do right?        (verse 13)

They just kept quiet and out of sight.

i.    What did the people need to do to avoid God’s judgement?      (verses 14-15)

They needed to seek what was good, to hate evil things and establish right judgement in their cities.

j.   People were apparently talking about a “day of the Lord” without really understanding what it meant….what does God have to say about this “day of the Lord”?   (verses 16-20)

It is a day of judgment and will be a day of darkness for all those who are not right with Him.

k.  In what way is this world in a “day of darkness” right now?    (2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:9b; 2 Peter 1:19)

Those who don’t know God personally are enveloped in the darkness of sin; they don’t have the light of Christ in their hearts and minds. God is calling people to come out of this darkness into His marvellous light of the light of heaven.

l.    What did God think of all the feasts and rituals that were done in His Name?      (verses 21-24; Isaiah 1:11-15)

He couldn’t stand them because He knew the state of the hearts and minds….he refused to listen to their prayers and songs because their hearts weren’t towards Him.

m.   Where were their hearts and minds?     (verses 25-27)

Towards their heathen gods and images….it had been this way ever since they left Egypt (apart from the ones and twos who followed the Lord)

n   Where are the hearts of the majority of people today?  How do you think God feels about this?                 

People are so busy with their jobs, sports and hobbies (in developed countries) or with their spirit worship and  just keeping alive in under-developed lands, that they have no time for God at all……this saddens God’s heart as He knows judgement is inevitable and could be avoided if they would only call on Him!

Amos  Six – Eight…

1.  Chapter 6:1-6 

a.  What is God saying to these people?   (verse 1)

Woe to all you leaders of Israel!

b.  What do we see about David in verse 5?

That he played musical instruments and loved singing.

c.    What else do we see about him in these other verses?      (1Samuel 16:16-18; 2 Samuel 23:1b)

That he was called the sweet psalmist of Israel, and his harp playing was soothing to others.

d.   What were Israel’s leaders oblivious to?    (verse 6)

How their people felt and they didn’t care about their afflictions.

2.  Chapter 7:1-17   

a.   What did God do to get the people’s attention?     (verse 1)

He brought grasshoppers which ate off all the new growth in the land.

b.  What was Amos’ reaction to this?    (verse 2)

Whatever is going to happen to Israel? It is SO small!

c.    What were the two things that Amos prayed for Israel?      (verses 2b and 5)

He prayed that God would forgive them and stop punishing them.

d.   What did God show Amos after he had prayed for the people?     (verse 8)

He showed him a plumbline hanging against a wall.

e.   What does a plumbline do?                

It shows the straight line to measure up to.

f.   What is our plumbline today in life? What does it do?     (Hebrews 4:12)

It is God’s Word that shows our real self before God…..our thoughts and intentions.

g.  What does God’s Word tell us about our so called righteousness and goodness?    (Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23)

It is all like filthy rags and our hearts are deceitful above all things….we have ALL sinned and come short of God’s standards!

h.    How can we get clean before God in the light of this?      (1 John 1:9)

If we confess our sins, God will forgive them and make us cleaner than we have ever been!

i.    What did the so-called priest tell the king about Amos?      (verses 10-12)

He couldn’t say anything good about Amos, and told the king that Amos was prophesying against him, saying that he (the king) would be slaughtered and the people taken captive..

j.  What did he then tell Amos?    (verse 12)

That Israel didn’t want God’s word, and for Amos to leave there and go to Judah with his prophecies!

k.    What did Amos have to say about himself and God’s call to him?      (verses 14-15)

He said that he was merely a cattleman and picker of sycamore fruit (wild figs) who God had given a message to, to tell Israel.

l.   What did Amos say the end result would be? What did this prove?    (verses 16-17)

He said that it didn’t matter what people said, God’s Word was certain… your children will be slaughtered, and your wife raped. Your land will be taken and you will die in a desolate land with your people being taken captive.

3.  Chapter 8:4-14

a.    What was one of the cardinal sins of the leaders of the people?      (verses 4-5)

They were totally ruthless against the poor and unfortunate, taking advantage of them….they gave a short measure and an inflationary dollar, weighing with wrong weights and giving the people only rubbishy wheat.

b.  How does God regard behaviour like that?    (verse 7;  Proverbs 20:10)

As an abomination, it was something that He would never forget and that they would have to answer for in a day to come…..it was totally unacceptable.

c.    What does God expect people to do?       (Isaiah 1:16-20)

To learn to do well and have right judgement, true weights to help the poor, lift oppression and look after the widows.

d.   Does God overlook these sinful ways?     (Genesis 18:25b; Romans 2:5-6; Hebrew 9:27)

No! He will never forget and will judge these things one day. One thing to remember about God’s judgement is that it is always FAIR!

e.    What is even worse than a famine of food?      (verse 11)

A famine in the things of the Lord….being hungry and thirsty in spiritual values and things….not being able to find the Lord.

f.  How did David feel at times?    (Psalm 63:1)

Sometimes he felt dry and thirsty for God.

g.    Can the world offer anything to satisfy this thirst?       (verse 12)

No, it has nothing to offer.

h.   Where is the only place this thirst can be satisfied?        (John 4:13-14)

It can only be satisfied in our Lord Jesus Christ….He is the One who has the water of Life which will satisfy the neediest and thirstiest soul.

i.   What is the end result of those who do not believe in Jesus Christ but trust in false ideals, gods and idols?           (verse 14b)

Destruction waits for them….they will fall and never rise again.

Amos  Nine…(1-15)

1.  Verses 1-15   

a.    Is it possible for a person to escape from God’s judgement? Where does God specifically mention that people might think they can run to?      (verses 2-3; Psalm 139:7-10)

No-one can ever escape from God….they might think they can hide in hell or even in heaven, or perhaps in the top of the mountains or the depths of the sea, yet God can still see them!

b.  What else does David mention as being unable to hide a person?    (Psalm 139:11-12)

Not even the blackest darkness can hide anyone….to God it is like the brightest daylight!

c.    What should a person’s reaction to these facts be?      Psalm 139:23-24)

To realise that they have no option but to throw themselves onto the mercy of God, and to ask Him to search their hearts and thought and to cleanse them from all their sin..

d.   What do verses 4-5 tell  us about God’s judgement?       

That when God determines to judge a land, it is a serious matter and nothing can avert it.

e.    What are we told in Hebrews 10:30-31?     

That God is the final judge and it is a fearful thing to fall into His hands when we are still sinners and unforgiven.

f.  What does God say in verse 8?    

God sees all the sinful nations and they will all be eventually destroyed, but there will always be some from Israel who remain faithful to God.

g.    Who will NOT escape of Israel?       (verse 10)

Those who refuse to turn to God and remain sinners

h.    In what way is the “house of David” being built up today?      (verse 11; Revelation 22:16)

It is being built up as the church of God through Jesus Christ who is the Root of Jesse, and the offspring of David.

i.  What phrase in verse 12 suggests this?   

The heathen which are called by My Name.

j.  In what way is the “land” being planted and prospering with wine and fruit?    (verses 13-14)

It is as God’s people prosper spiritually with the Gospel going forth and more people coming into God’s kingdom all the time, that the “land” is built up and will never be destroyed again.

k. Which “land” is God more concerned with…the spiritual one or the physical one?  (Hebrews 12:22)

God is more concerned with the spiritual “land”

l.    If this whole concept is purely physical how does verse 15 tie in with 2 Peter 3:10-13? (Galatians 3:26-29)

It doesn’t….this earth as we know it is going to come to an end and be replaced with a new eternal heaven and earth where there will only be righteousness and holiness.

m.    How should this knowledge affect us right now?    (2 Peter 1:5-11;  3:14)

It should stimulate us, as God’s people on earth, to live holy lives and seek His things and His ways, looking forwards to the future and proclaim His Word now with all diligence.