This week we turn a page–literally. And we turn an age.
When we left the Israelites in Babylon, they were no longer Israelites. Instead they were called “Jews,” a name derived from the last tribe to claim its own territory: Judah. The Jews were allowed to return to their capitol city and take up temple worship again–as soon as the temple was restored. Also, they were apparently no longer tempted to combine worship of the Lord with rites for the pagan gods around them. Malachi, the last prophet, had other complaints to make against them, and after him the Lord was silent for 450 years.
But the last book of the Old Testament ends with a specific promise: the promise of a blazing “day of the Lord” to be preceded by the prophet Elijah. Does that mean Elijah, first of the prophetic age, would be resurrected to bring about a new age? 450 years of wondering followed Malachi, and 450 years of expectations about what this day, and this prophet would look like.
As usual, God kept his word. But not in the way that anyone expected.
For this week’s Bible Challenge, with scripture passages, discussion questions, and activities, chick below:
*Please note: In the .pdf I mis-identified Herod as a Samaritan. He was actually an Idumean, or Edomite (descendant of Esau), raised as a Jew.
(This is a continuation of a series of posts about the “whole story” of the Bible. I plan to run one every week, on Tuesdays, with a printable PDF. The printable includes a brief 2-3 paragraph introduction, Bible passages to read, a key verse, 5-7 thought/discussion questions, and 2-3 activities for the kids. Here’s the Overview of the entire Bible series.)
Previous: Week 33: Prophets – Daniel
Next: Week 35: Messiah – Birth & Boyhood