Bible Connect
9 - This chapter begins one of the toughest sections of Scripture. The visions in chapters 9-14 are very difficult but stress judgment on heathen nations and the coming King (chs. 9-11), and the resurection of the shepherd and the final victory of God’s kingdom (chs. 12-14). Chapter 9 opens with udgment upon Syria (verse 1) and surrounding nations (verses 2-8). Is this Alexander the Great conquering the world? But a greater King is coming (verses 9-10) who will be a King of peace. This is directly applied by Jesus to Himself in Matt 21:4-5, as Jesus makes His triumphal entry. The chapter then closes by talking of God fighting for His people and the great victories the people will be granted (verses 11-17). Some see the Maccabean Wars (and their unexpected triumph) here (note verse 13).
10 - Chapter 10 features an unexpected and difficult transition from battles to asking for rain (verse 1). The connections to what went before is uncertain. What is clear is that God is fed up with people seeking idols (verse 2) and bad leaders (verse 3). Despite all of this God will graciously bring His people home again and make them strong (verses 6-12), perhaps a reference to the call of the Gospel and its marvelous provisions. As Ephraim (verse 7) did not exist in Zechariah’s time that seems to force this to be not literal.
11 - Chapter 11 begins with doom and destruction. The building of verse 1 may be the temple (note Jer 22:23). It is bad leadership that has caused this fall (verses 4-6). Zechariah fires the bad shepherds (verse 8). There are numerous explanation for who the “three shepherds” are, but we ust don’t know. We do know the staff called Favor is the covenant the people broke with God (verse 10). Sadly, God’s shepherd and work is not valued - instead he is paid wages so poor they are an insult (verses 12-13), verses later to be applied to the money Judas received for betraying Jesus. The other staff stands for nion (verse 13), which is now taken away, either standing for the unity between Judah and Israel that should have been in place or internal unity among the Jews. God then uses bad shepherds to punish the people (verses 15-17).
1 John 5 - We shouldn’t take the statement of verse 1a as an absolute, ust as verse 1b isn’t always true, so this is a general test. What does verse 6’s “water and blood” reference? probably Jesus’ entire min- istry, from His baptism to His death. The meaning here is that the true identity of Jesus can only be seen by looking at His whole life. Note that verse 7 in the KJ and NKJ is not well done. Verse 8 seems to reference the Spirit (speaking through the Word), baptism, and the Lord’s Supper as three witnesses to Jesus’ authenticity. Verse 10 speaks of believing (internalizing) the witness of God. Don’t let verse 14 be the only passage consulted on the matter of prayer. Focus on “asking according to His will. Verses 16-17 are fa- mous, but simply mean that a brother who won’t ask for forgiveness (the sin that will lead to death) can’t be forgiven by someone else’s prayers. He needs to repent and ask God for forgiveness! The NKJ for verse 18 has “does not sin” but better is the S’s “does not keep on sinning.”
Introduction to 2 and 3rd John - These two “postcard” epistles contain both doctrine and practical admonitions. 2 John seems to be addressed to a community while 3 John is clearly addressed to an individual. The purpose of both letters is to urge the disciples to continue in love toward real brethren, but turn away from false teachers.