This is part of the 66 in 52 Bible Journaling Challenge. Over the course of the 52 weeks in 2018, I am focusing in on one verse from each book of the Bible with many others who have signed up to join me. Each week I will post a summary page with some thoughts about that week’s book(s) of the Bible along with some links that may help our reflection. Click here to sign up if you want to join us at any point along the journey! Click here to see where we’ve been so far!
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The Big Picture of Zechariah:
Zechariah was a prophet that came after God’s people had spent 70 years in exile in Babylon. In addition to being a prophet, he was also in the lineage of priests. This book was written around the same time as Haggai. Where Haggai spoke with caution and conviction, we see more encouragement in Zechariah’s tone as they struggled to rebuild. This book has perhaps the most prophecies about Jesus of any minor prophet.
The Big Picture of Malachi:
In Hebrew, the name Malachi comes from a word that means “messenger”. As the final prophet of the Old Testament, this is a very fitting name. I’m his book we get a glimpse at where the people of God are at during this time in history. By this time they had been back in Jerusalem for a hundred years after the 70 they were in exile. New generations had grown up and apathy was prevalent. The people struggled to believe God loved them and focused in on the hard things around them. Malachi steps onto the scene and calls them back to follow a merciful, faithful God who continues to pursue them!
A Few Key Verses and Possible Reflection Questions/Prayers:
Some of us are planning to read through the whole book(s) each week, while others are just focusing in on one verse. This section of the weekly intro post might help you narrow down a verse to reflect on for the week, but you do not have to choose one of these verse, pick any section of the book you want! These are just some ideas.
Zechariah
- “So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
REFLECTION: How have you been working in your own night and power lately instead of by God’s spirit? - “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 1:16)
REFLECTION: Where do you need God’s mercy this week?
Malachi
- “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ” (Malachi 3:10)
REFLECTION: How have you seen God bless you (not necessarily financially) when you have been faithful to follow His heart and plan? - “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6)
REFLECTION: Why is it important to your personally that our God does not change? - “Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?” (Malachi)
REFLECTION: Who is a “brother” or “sister” that you need to spend some time loving this week, even if it’s hard?
Some Other Resources:
Zechariah
- The Bible Project summary video of Zechariah
- A Pinterest board with resources and pictures for Zechariah
Malachi
- The Bible Project summary video of Malachi
- A Pinterest board with resources and pictures for Malachi
The Challenge:
So now it’s your turn! Pick a verse and settle in this week, or read through each of the books. If you post any picture or blogs on social media, tag them with #66in52challenge so we can all share in this journey together!
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