37-4-256 (Week 37, Day 4, Year 256)

PSALM 87 – PRAISE OF ZION

This Psalm truly glorifies Jerusalem as the central home of the LORD God, Creator of the universe.

The praise of God includes the praise of God’s home in Zion.

JOHN 10

JOHN 10: 1-42 JESUS, THE SHEPHERD WHO GIVES HIS LIFE

JOHN 10: 1-21 AUTHENTIC SHEPHERDING

THE SHEPHERD AND THE FLOCK

JOHN 10: 22-42 TRIAL IN THE TEMPLE

THE JEWS DO NOT BELIEVE-Psalm 82:6

HE CALLS HIS SHEEP BY NAME-Jesus uses the metaphor of the flock and the opening into the sheepfold to describe his importance to the Jewish people.

The conflict between Jesus and the Religious and Political Leaders escalates and Jesus chooses to leave Jerusalem.

ISAIAH 55-56

ISAIAH 55:1- ISAIAH 66:24 PROPHETIC EXHORTATION TO ADHERE TO THE LORD’S COVENANT “The final block of the book of Isaiah calls upon the audience of the book to adhere to the LORD as the period of restoration is at hand.”

ISAIAH 55: 1-5 AN APPEAL TO THE PROPHET’S AUDIENCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RESTORATION

ISAIAH 55: 6-11 A CALL TO REPENTANCE. “The theme of the effectiveness of God’s word echoes the opening passage of Second Isaiah (40:8) and may indicate the end of a major unit of work.”

ISAIAH 55: 12-13 NATURE WILL REJOICE AT THE RETURN OF THE DISPERSED ISRAELITES.

ISAIAH 56:1- ISAIAH 66:24 THIRD ISAIAH – PORTRAYAL OF THE RESTORED COVENANT COMMUNITY “The collection of writings in chapters 56-66 generally ascribed to Third Isaiah, a name for various anonymous prophets from the time of the early Persian period restoration in the late sixth through the fifth centuries BCE.” “These chapters reflect a divisive struggle over the identity and destiny of the Judean community in the postexilic (primarily 538-515 BCE) with little direct concern for international affairs.”

ISAIAH 56: 1- ISAIAH 59:21 INSTRUCTION CONCERNING PROPER OBSERVANCE OF THE COVENANT.

ISAIAH 56:1-8 ALL ARE WORTHY TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY “The passage begins with a general statement of principles concerning the LORD’S expectations.  Justice and righteousness are the basis of biblical law and subsequent Jewish tradition.”

ISAIAH 56:9- ISAIAH 57:21 THE LORD’S WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LORD

ISAIAH 56: 9-12 AN INVITATION TO WILD ANIMALS TO COME AND DEVOUR THE FLOCK “The prophet metaphorically compares Israel’s sentinels or leaders to wild animals and silent dogs, who lack understanding an serve only their own immediate interests.”

THE LORD INVITES HIS PEOPLE TO COME TO HIM

THE LORD WILL SAVE THOSE WHO COME TO HIM

THE LORD JUDGES ISRAEL’S EVIL LEADERS

BUY WITHOUT MONEY

MESSAGES OF HOPE

SALVATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

GOD’S MESSAGE

EPHESIANS 6

EPHESIANS 5: 22- EPHESIANS 6:9 RULES FOR HOUSEHOLD RELATIONSHIPS

EPHESIANS 6: 1-4 “Relations between children and fathers.”

CHILDREN AND PARENTS-Deuteronomy 5:16

EPHESIANS 6: 5-9 “relations between slaves and masters.”

SLAVES AND MASTERS

EPHESIANS 6: 10-20 APPEAL FOR STRENGTH IN SPIRITUAL BATTLE

GOD’S ARMOR

EPHESIANS 6: 21-14 EPILOGUE

FINAL GREETINGS

A FIGHT TO THE FINISH