The end of Fasting… (3 things)

• 1^st – The promise… vs. 1-8
  • 1^st – The Lord of Hosts is ZEALOUS for Zion… vs. 1-3
    • Zion is the name of one of the mountains (hills) that Jerusalem sits on…
      • But it is often given as a reference to the city of Jerusalem as a whole…
      • The term ZEALOUS – is repeated 3 times in verse 2 – the Lord is VERY ZEALOUS!
      • I like the way the NTL puts it – ‘the Lord is consumed with passion for Jerusalem’!
      • They shrugged their shoulders / plugged their ears / had hearts as hard as flint…
      • But in spite the wickedness of the people – God WOULD NOT give up on them!
      • There is A VERY destructive doctrine commonly taught today in many churches…
      • It states – God has rejected Israel – and been replaced by the church…
      • Galatians 6:16 – “Peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
      • The reason is – because Israel betrayed and crucified Jesus Christ…
      • Matthew 27:25 – “All the people… said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
      • This doctrine has led to intense persecution of the Jews by the church over the centuries!
      • Yet in Romans 11:1 – Paul uses himself as an example God is not done with Israel…
      • In fact all of the Apostles and everyone in the church up to Acts 10 were Jews!
      • They are proof that God has not rejected Israel – Jews were/are still being saved…
      • Because God has not cast away Israel – He promised they would always be His people…
      • As long as the sun rises – waves crash on the seashore – Israel is Gods nation!
      • Jeremiah 31:36 – “I am as likely to reject Israel as I am to do away with the laws of nature!”
    • The Lord promised He would come back to Israel…
      • Ezekiel 10:4/18 – the Glory of the Lord departed from the Temple…
      • Ezekiel 11:23 – “and the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city…”
      • The presence of God – the Glory of the Lord – had abandoned Israel because of their sin!
      • But He would return to Zion – call the forsaken city of Jerusalem His home once again…
      • And when He did – Jerusalem would change – it would become the city of Truth…
      • It would become the Mountain of the Lord of Hosts / a Holy (Kadosh) mountain!
      • When we study the history of Israel – we find a sorted and often shameful past…
      • The people of God – were often anything but people who actually followed God…
      • But I LOVE the patience of God that is revealed in how He deals with Israel…
      • There are consequences to their actions and rebellion – but He never stops loving them!
      • In the same way we can frustrate the work of God in our live – loose His presence…
      • But He will never give up on us – and He is ALWAYS willing to come back…
      • All it takes is turning back to God – and we once again become the Home of the Lord!
      • He takes away all of our failures – and makes us Holy – set apart once more for Him!
  • 2^nd – The restoration of Jerusalem… vs. 4-5
    • God promises to give two signs that He has returned:
    • Old men will once again sit in the streets of Jerusalem…
      • War / famine / and disease had plagued Israel because of their rebellion…
      • Making old age a rare trait among the people – most did not live to see their golden years…
      • But God would again bring back the men who are old enough to need canes to walk!
      • Isaiah 65:20 – “No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred!”
      • Since 1900 the average life span in America has increased by almost 30 years (78 today)…
      • A fact that most would credit to the prosperity and healthcare in the US…
      • But interestingly a statistic that has been on the decline the past few years
      • A long life is not the result of better medical care – or lots of money…
      • God is the one who keeps wars at bay – keeps disease / famine from culling a generation…
      • A long life is one of the signs of a blessing from God on a nation!
    • The streets will be full of young boys and girls playing in the street…
      • When there is strife in a land – people fear to let their children outside!
      • When I was a kid – we would leave the house at sunrise and not come back till sunset…
      • People did not fear for their children – they felt safe letting their kids out…
      • But sadly that is not the way it is today – the streets are empty…
      • People fear predators – wicked influences – a country besieged by corruption!
  • 3^rd – The impossible – made possible… vs. 6-8
    • This promise seemed MARVELOUS (impossible) to the remnant of Israel…
      • A small rag tag group of refugees huddling in a the ruins of a rebellious city…
      • How could they be ‘the City of Truth’ – with young and old alike filling its streets!
      • But as impossible as it seemed to them – that did not make it look impossible to God!
    • God would bring His people home…
      • He would save His people from the lands to the east and west – return the Diaspora…
      • They would come back and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem…
      • They would again be His people – and He would be their God – in truth and righteousness!
      • Since 1948 Jewish population in Israel has surged to over 6 million…
      • There are more Jews living in Israel today than any other nation on earth…
      • Isaiah 43-5-6 – “I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west… Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth.”
      • If we look at the MOUNUMENTAL problems in our lives  – we become overwhelmed…
      • We think it MARVELOUS when God says that He can heal / provide / rescue us…
      • But the only reason we marvel is because we limit God to our abilities / understanding…
      • He who created the universe with a word – has no limitations – if we will only run to Him!
      • But it is worth noting the timing of the fulfillment – it did not happen in a moment!

• 2^nd – The commands… vs. 9-17
  • 1^st – Obey – and build the Temple… vs. 9-13
    • In the mean time – Lord commanded the people to let their hands be strong…
      • They had a part to play – they had a Temple that needed to be rebuilt…
      • They had been working on the Temple for 2 years – but had 2 years still to go – 516 BC…
      • And even thought their eyes might not see the total fulfillment of the promise of the Lord…
      • As long as they obeyed the Lord – the blessing of the Lord would flow!
    • Before they began to work on the Temple…
      • There was no work – no wages for either man or animal…
      • There was no peace – there were enemies on all sides – everyone against his neighbor…
      • There was no fruit – the people sowed but did not reap anything – Haggai 5:5-7
      • There was a curse – Judah was known among the nations for being CURSED!
      • We all know what it is like to fail in life – cursed – we have all experienced disappointment…
      • Maybe we have faced / or are facing – the frustration of always coming up short…
      • No matter what we do – not matter how hard we try – it just seems to fail!
      • The key to success in life – is putting things in their proper order…
      • We must learn to put God first – then we will find blessings from the Lord…
      • Blessings in life do not come from what we do – but who we know!
      • Luke 12:31 – “Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”
      • Psalm 1:3 – “Blessed is the man who delights in the Lord… whatever he does prospers.”
    • But now that the work on the Temple was underway…
      • God would deal with His people the way He had in former / better times…
      • The harvest would be plentiful – because the Lord would rain down the dew…
      • God would save Israel – make them a symbol of BESSINGS to the nations…
      • Therefore they had no reason to be afraid – instead their hands could be strong and build!
      • Not that God needed them to build the Temple – God did not need a building…
      • Isaiah 66:1 – “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…”
      • But God wanted His people to invest their lives in Him!
      • We talk a lot about volunteering – put an emphasis on plugging in at the church…
      • Not because God need our help – or because of some obligation to the church…
      • It is for our sakes – it is an opportunity for us to invest our time in the Lord!
      • That is why I love it when people step out – not because of a need (God takes care of that)…
      • But cause I know what it will do to their relationship with God – the blessings it will bring!
  • 2^nd – Believe – and do not fear… vs. 14-15
    • Just as God was determined to punish Israel when Israel rebelled and provoked him…
      • And He would not relent – there was no changing His mind!
      • Now God was determined to do good to Jerusalem – nothing was going to change His mind!
      • Therefore the people had no reason to fear – the second time God says ‘do not fear’!
      • But notice the promise to not fear – is only for those who were investing in the Lord…
      • We would do most anything to make sure our kids have everything they need…
      • But we are not willing to make the same sacrifices for someone else’s children!
      • God does not give any promises to provide to those who belong to this world…
      • But God does promises to take care of His kids – those who have faith in Jesus!
      • But what does it mean to have faith – that is a bit of an ambiguous term…
      • Perhaps a better word is TRUST – we have no reason to FEAR as long as we TRUST in Jesus!
      • And there is ONLY ONE WAY to build trust – and that is to spend time with someone…
      • Therefore the more time we spend with Jesus – the more we TRUST – the less we FEAR!
      • II Timothy 1:7 – “God has not given us a spirit of fear… but of power, love…”
    • Jesus would say the same thing in Luke 12:32 – ‘fear not’…
      • But He adds perspective why we should not fear – our Father does not just what we need…
      • He wants to give us His whole kingdom – bless us beyond imagination!
      • In Christ we have become heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus – Romans 8:17
      • To the extent we will even sit on Jesus throne with Him – Revelation 3:21
      • Are we sure – ABSOLUTELY – God will NOT CHANGE His mind!
      • Often times we are left to wonder if God can/will take care of our needs…
      • God does not just want to provide for our needs – we are heirs to His Kingdom! 
  • 3^rd – Walk – and be an example… vs. 16-17
    • It was not enough to just OBEY and BELIEVE…
    • God wanted His people to WALK as His children – be HOLY / be an example…
    • 1^st – They were to tell the truth – each man to his neighbor…
      • In the world there are levels of lies – little lies / white lies / half truths…
      • But for us there is just the truth – and then there is a lie – no middle ground…
      • If we are not telling all of the truth – then we are telling a complete lie!
      • And there is ever a good reason not to tell the truth…
      • Such as if it keeps someone from having hurt feelings – ‘how do I look’ – ugly!
      • The end does not justify the means – it is as much about the journey as the destination…
      • There is never a good reason to lie – it is depending on our efforts / wisdom…
      • Better to be honest – tell the truth – and trust in/depend on the Lord!
    • 2^nd – They were to give judgment in the gates (speaking of the courts)…
      • The judges were to judge in truth and justice – which would bring peace…
      • Because when there is true justice – the lawless fear / and the righteous rejoice!
      • Proverbs 29:2 – “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.”
      • I laughed this this week when I read an article about recent legal decisions in California…
      • Convicts illegal immigrants were pardoned / but coffee was listed as dangerous!
      • Sometimes we wonder if there will ever be real justice – perhaps not in California…
      • But ultimately God will judge – fairly and righteously – the actions of all men…
      • So pray for those who are leaders – those entrusted with the justice of the nation…
      • Pray they will be righteous God fearing rulers – who listen to and obey God…
      • Pray because if they are not – they will be held accountable – James 3:1
    • 3^rd – They were to not think/plot evil in your heart against your neighbor…
      • This particular command stands out – because it was not an action / but a thought…
      • They people were not just to be Holy in their actions – it was also in their thoughts!
      • Our minds are literally a battleground for the control of our actions – Galatians 5:17…
      • Do we choose to live for pleasure/the moment – or do we live for the Lord…
      • Many face constant defeat because they try and fight the war in their own strength…
      • The only way to win the battle is to let Jesus fight for us…
      • As we abide in Him – John 15:4-5 – He fight and wins the war for us – makes us HOLY!
    • 4^th – They were not to give false oaths…
      • Those who do not know Jesus – do not tend to value their word…
      • They will often attempt to reinforce their word – to assure you they are not lying…
      • They will tell you what you want to hear – or even flat out lie to your face…
      • But God expects us to be men and women of our word…
      • We should not be taking oaths – we should just do what we say!
      • Matthew 5:37 – “’Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”

And they come up and tug on our sleeves – and ask to come with us to Jesus!

3^rd – The Results… vs. 18-23

1^st – The end of fasting… vs. 18-19

In answer to the original question from chapter 7 – should Israel still fast in the 5^th month…

All of the fasts – 4 different months – commemorating aspects of the fall of Jerusalem…

4^th month – wall of Jerusalem– II Kings 25:3/ 5^th month – Temple destroyed– Jeremiah 52:12

7^th month – death of Gedeliah- II Kings 25:25 / 10^th month – start of siege- Jeremiah 52:4

Would turn from fasts of mourning – into feasts of celebration! Love truth and Peace!

God has given us incredible promises – in spite of our failures and sin…

Too often we want to hold onto our past – mourn the dates of our failures…

But God wants to take those same dates and make them days of celebration…

Because it was through those failures that we learned to depend on Him!

It was through them we learned to – OBEY – and invest in the things of the Lord…

We learned we learned to – BELIEVE – and all of our fears were wiped out in perfect trust…

We learned to – WALK – and were made HOLY and an example as children of God!

Isaiah 61:3 – “To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning…”

2^nd – Many will seek the Lord… vs. 20-23

In those days people from all over the world will come to Jerusalem…

People from one city will go to another city and say – let us go and pray / seek the Lord…

Many people – even from powerful nations – will come to seek the Lord…

In that day 10 men from different languages / nations – will grab the sleeve of a Jew…

Asking to go with him – because the they have heard God is with them!

Yalak (we will go) / Shama (we have heard) – Eloheem (God)!

Isaiah 2:2 – “In the last days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship.”The first Burden… (3 things)

• 1^st – The coming King… vs. 1-17
  • 1^st – The Burden of the Lord…
    • The 2 Burdens of the last 6 chapters of Zechariah – prophesy the coming of Jesus…
      • Chapters 9-11 – the first advent of Jesus Christ – His triumphant entry and betrayal…
      • Chapters 12-14 – the second advent of Jesus Christ – His glorious return and reign!
    • There is quite a bit of debate over whether these chapters were written by Zechariah…
      • They do not follow the same flow of format of the previous 8 chapters…
      • Lord of Hosts – appears 15 times in chapter 8 alone – only appears twice in chapters 9-11!
      • We are also not given a time frame for when they were written (e.g. – the 2^nd year of Darius)
      • Portions are even attributed to a different prophet – Zechariah 11:12-13
      • Is quoted in Matthew 27:9-10 but credited to the prophet Jeremiah!
      • But there really is no question on who the author is – just the pen God used to write with!
      • II Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”
  • 2^nd – The judgment of the nations… vs. 1-4
    • The prophet begins with the judgment of Syria (Hadrach / Damascus) – Tyre – Sidon…
      • In spite of their great wealth – silver and gold like dust on the streets…
      • In spite of their wisdom – the tower Tyre built – in the end they would be destroyed!
      • After Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to the city of Tyre for 13 years and destroyed it…
      • The inhabitants of Tyre rebuilt their city on an Island – towering walls 100 feet high…
      • But Alexander the Great – threw the ruins of the first city into the sea – made a bridge…
      • Burnt the new city to the ground – it was never rebuilt – barren rock for fishnets!
      • Ezekiel 26:14 – “I will make you like the top of a rock; you shall be a place for spreading nets, and you shall never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken.”
    • Notice in verse 1: All the eyes of men – all of the tribes of Israel – are on the Lord…
      • Because in times of great trouble – EVERYONE – calls out on the Lord…
      • When wisdom / money / and all of our preparations fail – God help us!
      • In the case of Syria / Tyre / and Sidon when Alexander attacked – no answer!
      • But when the Jews sought the Lord – Alexander spared them…
      • The historian Josephus tells us Jaddua the High Priest had Alexander read Daniel 8…
      • Upon seeing the prophecy concerning Greece conquering Persia – Alexander spared Israel!
      • It is a risky business waiting until everything else has failed to call out to God…
      • If we have put our trust in money – our wisdom – our plans – and they fail…
      • God might let us learn a lesson and face the consequences of our misplaced faith…
      • Better to be like the Jews and look to the Lord – and put our trust in His Word!
  • 3^rd – The judgment of the Philistines… vs. 5-8
    • The prophet also predicts the fall of 4 of the 5 cities of the Philistines…
      • Ashkelon would be terrified – the king of Gaza would fall…
      • The hope of Ekron dashed (by fall of mighty Tyre) – foreigners would live in Ashdod…
      • Gath is not mentioned having already fallen to Judah – I Chronicles 18:1
      • Literally fulfilled when Alexander conquered the Philistines – killing thousands!
    • Yet God would not completely wipe them out…
      • God would take the blood / abominations out the mouths of the remnant…
      • They would no longer offer sacrifices to false idols – eat forbidden food (blood)…
      • They would become like a leader in Judah – like the Jebusites who joined with Israel!
      • God would turn enemies into friends – through the example of Israel!
      • Because even though all the other mighty cities had fallen – Jerusalem was untouched…
      • God had camped around His house – and no oppressor (Alexander) came in!
      • Make no mistake about it – people are watching us to see if God is real…
      • We may not realize it – they may even be making fun of us – but they are watching…
      • Everyone is looking for the answer to life – and through us they see Jesus is that answer!
  • 4^th – Riding on a colt… vs. 9-11
    • The prophet jumps several hundred years into the future with his prophecy…
      • Predicting the first arrival of the Messiah – on a day we call Palm Sunday….
      • Rejoice O daughter of Zion – shout because your King is coming…
      • He is JUST / righteous – and has SALVATION – riding on a donkey!
      • Mark 11:1 – on a VERY special day Jesus sent 2 disciples to get a donkey…
      • A king would never come to conquer riding on a donkey – it was a sign of peace…
      • Jesus was not coming to conquer – He came to bring peace between God and Man!
    • Jesus will not be riding a donkey when He returns for the 2^nd time…
      • Revelation 19:11 – “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”
      • When Jesus comes for the 2^nd time He will NOT come to make peace
      • He will come with all the armies of heaven for war – to set up His Kingdom here on Earth!
    • Israel was expected to recognize Jesus as the Messiah because…
      • They had even been told exactly how their King would arrive – but they missed it!
      • The Jews were all very religious – they all went to synagogue every Saturday…
      • Yet very few of them actually knew their Bible – read their Bible!
      • Luke 19:41 – “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day… but now they are hidden from your eyes.’”
      • It is too easy to be religious – but miss most important thing of all – Jesus!
      • That is why we go to Bible studies / read the Bible 1/ listen to the Bible on the radio…
      • So we get into the Word to learn all about our Lord – so we do not miss Jesus!
        
    • The Kingdom of the Messiah will spread to the ends of the earth… vs. 10-11
      • Not by means of war – God would cut off the chariot / break the battle bow…
      • His Kingdom would expand by speaking peace to the nations – the Gospel!
      • The blood covenant – sacrifice of Christ – that pulls prisoners from the waterless pit!
      • Luke 16:24 – “Dip his finger in water and cool my tongue; I am tormented in this flame.”
      • We are all sinners – Romans 3:23 – we were all are all destined for the pit!
      • But Jesus – the only JUST man – paid the price for our sin – Death – Romans 6:23
      • Jesus jumped into the pit – so He could be our SALVATION!
      • And that GOOD NEWS – Gospel – is what needs to be spread to the end of the earth!
  • 5^th – Come back to the Lord… vs. 12-17
    • Return to the stronghold (Jesus) – you prisoners of Hope…
      • For Israel – who would reject the Messiah – God tells them to come back… vs. 12
      • The mo12ment they do God will restore to them double what sin has taken from them!
      • When we live for this world – it gives us nothing – leaves us empty…
      • Many of us can reflect back on many years wasted – not living for the Lord…
      • We can often regret those ‘lost years’ wishing we could have them back…
      • God can restore the years – as if we had never lost anything to the foolishness of sin!
    • Because God is not done with Israel… vs. 13-17
      • For just like God HAD used Judah / Ephraim – against the sons of Greece…
      • When Antiochus epiphanies profaned the Alter – and God used the Maccabees to free Judah!
      • He WILL again appear over His people – and He will blow His trumpet…
      • And God will save Israel from the nations – just as a shepherd rescues His sheep…
      • Then His people will sparkle like jewels – and live again in an abundant land!
      • Likely referring to the battle of Armageddon – Revelation 16:6…
      • When the Antichrist will gather his army to the Valley of Megiddo – Revelation 19:11-21
      • Then Jesus will come out of Heaven on a white horse – King of Kings / Lord of Lords…
      • With the armies of Heaven – his saints (you and me) – following behind Him on horses…
      • With one word he will defeat the Antichrist and his army – blood to horses bridle…
      • At which point all of Israel will be saved – Romans 11:26 – Millennial Kingdom!

• 2^nd – The resoration of Israel… vs. 1-12
  • 1^st – The judgment of the shepherds… vs. 1-4
    • Only the Lord can bring blessings…
      • Ask Him for the later rain (spring) – and He will send it to make the fields blossom…
      • In direct contrast to idols that give false advice / fortunetellers that predict lies…
      • People wandering like lost sheep – in trouble because they do not look to the shepherd!
    • The Lord is angry with these false shepherds / goat herders…
      • Those who lead the people away from the Lord – and He will punish them!
      • But God will visit His people – He WILL be their Shepherd – make them like a royal horse…
      • This Good Shepherd will become the cornerstone / tent peg / battle bow / He will rule all!
      • John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
  • 2^nd – The return of Israel… vs. 5-12
    • God will strengthen the house of Judah / save the house of Joseph (Israel)…
      • The Lord will bring back the divided nation – as though they had never been lost…
      • God will whistle and gather them – they will again become a mighty people…
      • From the few that are left – their population will grow again to its former size!
      • Even though they were scattered /sowed among many nations…
      • God will make sure they never forget the Lord – and they will teach their children!
      • On the day of Pentecost Jews from all over the world were gathered in Jerusalem…
      • And they heard the Disciples preach the Gospel – all in their native dialects…
      • They then returned to their home to share the incredible message of salvation! 
      • I am sure the Jews questioned why God allowed them to be conquered / scattered…
      • But God had a plan far greater than anyone of them could have imagined…
      • A plan to use these scattered Jews / and Pentecost to spread the Gospel message!
      • There are going to be things that happen in our lives that we do not understand…
      • We may not always understand why God does something in our lives…
      • But our responsibility is not to understand – it is to obey – and trust He has a plan!
    • Scattered until the day when God brings them home from Egypt (first) / Assyria (last)…
      • When they again pass through the ‘sea of affliction’ / and the rivers dry up…
      • A reference to how God brought Israel through the Red Sea / dried up the Jordan River!
      • But the exodus that is coming will dwarf what took place in the days of Moses / Joshua…
      • God will bring His people home from all over the world – with mighty miracles!
      • Jeremiah 23:7-8 – “The time is coming… when people… will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land… all the countries to which he had exiled them.’”

• 3^rd – The rejection of the Shepherd… vs. 1-17
  • 1^st – The destruction of the Temple… vs. 1-3
    • Having predicted the coming of the promised King – His rejection…
      • And the subsequent restoration that would come upon Judah and Israel…
      • The prophet moves into a dark chapter – what would happen between those two events!
      • Open the doors of Lebanon – that fire may devour your cedars…
      • The Temple was constructed from the mighty cedars of Lebanon – I Kings 5:6
      • The shepherds / leaders will wail – for their glory (the Temple) is in ruins!
    • Luke 21:5 – Jesus sat down with His Disciples on the Mount of Olives…
      • As they marveled at the glory of the Temple – Jesus said ‘not one stone left upon another’!
      • 35 years later – 70AD – when Israel rebelled against Rome…
      • Future Caesar – Titus Vespasian – responded with the 10^th Roman legion…
      • He laid siege to Jerusalem killing over 1 million Jews – destroying the city…
      • He did not intend to destroy the Temple – but in the siege it caught fire…
      • The gold of the Temple melted between the stone blocks…
      • The Romans dismantled the Temple stone by stone to get the gold!
  • 2^nd – The broken staff… vs. 4-11
    • Thus says the Lord – feed the flock for the slaughter… vs. 4-6
      • The idea being feed them the Word – to try and keep them from being slaughtered…
      • Because those in Judah would suffer along with the destruction of the Temple…
      • 1.5 million perished in the Jewish war – one million fell at the fall of Jerusalem…
      • The buyers (Romans) slaughtered the sheep without remorse…
      • Those who sold them (Jewish leaders) said Praise the Lord – now I am rich!
      • And the Lord had no pity on them – He gave them over to their King…
      • John 19:15 – “The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’”
    • The Lord took two staffs…
      • One called BEAUTY (or pleasant) – the other called BONDS (or unity)…
      • Then God dismissed the three shepherds He abhorred – who also despised Him…
      • The word ‘dismissed – is the Hebrew word Kachad – to annihilate!
      • It seems to carry with it a spiritual element – not just kill / 2^nd death!
      • Possibly referring to the Pharisees / Sadducees / and the Scribes!
      • And God said – I will not feed you – let those who are dying / die (Kachad)!
      • Matthew 23:13 – “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
      • Jesus would not feed those who rejected His Word – but He would feed the poor!
      • Luke 4:18 – “He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
      • And God took the staff Beautiful – and cut it in two – breaking the covenant!
      • And the poor who were watching – knew that it was the Word of the Lord!
      • Jesus was the BEAUTIFUL staff – broken at the cross so that the covenant could be broken…
      • The LAW that said the only way to be righteous was through rules and regulations!
      •  Colossians 2:14 – “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
  • 3^rd – 30 pieces of silver… vs. 12-14
    • If it is agreeable – give me my wages – and they gave him 30 pieces of silver…
      • According to Exodus 21:32 – the price paid for a slave accidently gored by an ox…
      • But the Lord said – throw it to the potter – this price for THE PRINCE…
      • Then I cut the other staff BONDS in two – breaking the bond between Judah and Israel!
      • Jesus was the BONDS staff – broken at the resurrection to separate…
      • Those who were just Jews by birth (Judah) from those who believed in Jesus (Israel)!
      • Romans 9:6 – “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel…”
    • The cost for breaking the two staffs – 30 pieces of silver…
• The price Judas betrayed Jesus for – but guilt over his betrayal overwhelmed Judas…

• He knew he had sinned by betraying an innocent man – Matthew 27:3…
• He returned to the Jewish leaders – and threw the 30 pieces at their feet…
• The Jewish leaders had no such remorse – they told him to live with his decision!
• Judas went out and hung himself – buy that left the Priests with a problem…
• They could not just put it into the treasury – it was blood money…
• That would be like selling illegal drugs – but giving the profit to the church!
• So they purchased a Potters field – ‘Aceldama’ (field of blood) …
• They purchased it as a place to bury strangers who died in Jerusalem…
• The field lies on a narrow level terrace on the south side of the valley of Hinnom…
• Valley of Hinnom (Topheth – place of fire) – southern valley of Jerusalem
• Where King Manasseh sacrificed children to the God Molech – II Kings 23:10
• Jesus refers to the valley in the NT – Matthew 10:28
  • Gehenna – used 12 times in the NT– ‘The Valley of Hinnom’ – translated – Hell…
  • Jesus uses the Valley of Hinnom as a word picture – for hell – eternal judgment…
  • The ‘field’ that was bought with Judas ‘reward’ – was Hell…
  • Judas reward for his betrayal of Jesus – was eternal separation from God…
  • Not that Judas was worse than any other sinner – we are no better than Judas!
  • There are no levels of sinners – greater or lesser sinners – we are all just sinners….
  • We have all purchased our place in eternity with the ‘reward’ of our sin….
  • Our hope – if we will believe – Jesus died for us so that we go instead to heaven!
  • God does not send good people to Hell – there are none!
  • What is amazing is that because of Jesus – God sends sinners to Heaven!
• 4^th – The Worthless Shepherd… vs. 15-17
  • To finish the first burden – the prophet jumps 2000+ years…
    • Where in place of the Good Shepherd – Israel instead embraces a worthless one…
    • One who would not visit those who are cut off (Kachad) / or the young / or heal the injured
    • Instead this worthless shepherd would devour the sheep for his own benefit…
    • A reference to the Antichrist whom Israel will receive as their prince – Daniel 9:26
    • Whom the Lord says WOE – the sword will be against his arm (strength) and eye (desire)!
• In the aftermath of the rapture (1 billion people disappear)…
  • After the Magog invasion (God destroys armies of Russia and the Arabs) – Ezekiel 38-39
  • The world will be in chaos – one man will step up offering peace and safety…
  • It is thought he will make peace by offering to rebuild the 3^rd Temple for Israel…
  • The Jews have everything ready to rebuild the temple – waiting for their messiah!
  • The Antichrist will be received as the Jewish Messiah – because he rebuilds the Temple…
  • John 5:43 – “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”
  • Thus starting the last 7 years on Gods watch – the 7 years of Tribulation!

Really good motivation to believe in Jesus today – II Corinthians 6:2

The bad news – anyone who does not believe in Jesus has this to look forward to…

The good news – if we believe in Jesus – we will be safely in heaven!