Hi friends! So I have something pretty exciting to share. We are only a little over three weeks away from completing the entire Old Testament and beginning the New Testament. I can't believe how quickly that has happened! But we're not quite there yet. We still have the final prophets to look at the all important Chronicles to close out the Old Testament. Today we turn to Zechariah, the second to last prophet we will be considering. (well third if you count Jesus, ha!) We'll spend 4 days with Zechariah before closing out with Malachi. Let's really give these final prophets all our attention knowing we aren't far from familiar territory.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this reveal to me about God? What does it reinforce?
What clues does this offer about what the people were considering or struggling with at the time?
What, if anything, feels applicable to today? What does it call me to do in response?
Today I offer to you the overview video for Zechariah which does a great job at illustrating what we just read as well as giving you a picture of what's to come and why it's important. Take a few minutes and lean into their work.
Praying the Hymns
Our prayer today is inspired by hymn 215 - To a Maid Engaged to Joseph. I invite you to join in singing this hymn in mind, body, and spirit. :) I've never heard this hymn before but wow it is haunting (in a good way) it has that kind of Neo-victorian era waltz sound to it. I hope you enjoy!
1 To a maid whose name was Mary,
the angel Gabriel came.
“Fear not,” the angel told her,
“I come to bring good news;
good news I come to tell you,
good news, I say, good news.”
2 “For you are highly favored
by God the Lord of all,
who even now is with you.
You are on earth most blest;
you are most blest, most blessed;
God chose you, you are blest!”
3 But Mary was most troubled
to hear the angel’s word.
What was the angel saying?
It troubled her to hear,
to hear the angel’s message,
it troubled her to hear.
4 “Fear not, for God is with you,
and you shall bear a child.
His name shall be called Jesus,
God’s offspring from on high.
And he shall reign forever,
forever reign on high.”
5 “How shall this be?” said Mary,
“I am not yet a wife.”
The angel answered quickly,
“The power of the Most High
will come upon you shortly,
your child shall be God’s child.”
6 As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words. “Behold, I am your handmaid,” she said unto her God. “So be it; I am ready according to your word.”
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