Believe it or not, but this week we will finish the Old Testament (OT) and start the New Testament (NT)!! This is a major accomplishment, not only because the OT is more than 3 times as long as the NT, but also because parts of the OT are less familiar for most of us.
This week's reading plan is as follows:
* Weekend: Zechariah 12 - 14
* Monday: Malachi 1 - 2
* Tuesday: Malachi 3
* Wednesday: Matthew 1 - 4
* Thursday: Matthew 5 - 7
* Friday: Matthew 8 - 10
The last few chapters of Zechariah contain a number of interesting prophesies regarding both Jesus, as well as the end-times, when the Day of the LORD will come. Many of the prophesies in Revelation are related to these prophesies here at the end of Zechariah, which emphasizes once again the unity of OT and NT.
The book of Malachi is the last book of the so-called Minor Prophets, and it is also the last book of the Old Testament. Parts of this book form an interesting dialogue with rhetorical questions, see for example Chapter 1:7, 2:17, 3-14. The central theme of the book is God's covenant with the priests and the people. God accuses his people of doubting the covenant, and He calls for repentance. Chapter 3 versus 6-12 contain a challenge for all of us regarding our money and faithfully giving a portion back to Him of what He has so faithfully given us.
The last couple versus talk about the return of Elijah. Jesus later interprets that by saying those verses refer to John the Baptist, who was a prophet in the spirit of Elijah.
After the book of Malachi was written, God was silent for about 400 years, i.e., He didn't speak through any prophets for a long period of time. This is sometimes referred to as the 'silent time', almost like the 'dark ages' of the Old Testament. God was silent for a long time, but He didn't sit still... He was preparing the world for the coming of the promised Messiah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The New Testament tells us all about this Messiah, starting with Matthew. More on that next week!
In Him,
Dick
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