Catholic Doctrine Bible Study

In this short, fictitious “religious novel”, set against the backdrop of the actual deportation of the 10 Northern Tribes (the nation of Israel) to Assyria in 722BC, the characters have much to tell us about the practice of our own faith: God answers prayer, though not always in the way we expect! We all have a guardian angel! Suffering can be redemptive. We are to: Bury the dead (4:3-4) Honor our mother (4:4) Give alms (4:7-11) (special emphasis!) Avoid sexual sin (4:12) Marry within the faith (4:12+) Pay just wages (4:14) “Golden Rule (4:15) Abstain from drunkenness (4:15) Feed the hungry (4:16) Clothe the naked (4:16) Pursue  wisdom (4:18) Pray constantly (4:19 and 6:18) Sanctity of marriage (8:5-7) Take care of the aged (14:13) This book is one of seven books in the Catholic bible that are not found typically in Protestant bibles.  We will discuss the reasons why Martin Luther “kicked them out”  (we didn’t add them, they subtracted them!) when we study 2 Maccabees 12.

“Don’t Marry Outside The Faith” and “What’s Your ‘Mission From God?’” (The Rebuilding The Temple and Jerusalem’s Walls.) Ezra and Nehemiah are thought to have been written by the same author/authors as 1,2 Chronicles.  These 2 books are about the return to Jerusalem from Babylon by the exiled Jews.  The return began in 538BC and continued in stages. The new Temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel over 22 years, finished in 515BC. (Ezra 6:15.)The walls around the city were rebuilt under Nehemiah’s guidance in 432BC. With each of these 2 projects, our heroes experienced opposition, but they knew they were on a mission from God.  (Nehemiah 2:20) God has given each of us a specific mission.  What is yours??  If you don’t know, spend some time in prayer. (Your basic mission is to “know, love, and serve God......” but the specifics will be revealed to you as you seek to deepen your relationship with God.) Ezra 4  Zarubbabel refused help from the Samaritans, which not only caused a huge delay in the Temple construction, but he also missed out on an evangelism opportunity.  Volunteer opportunities are a chance to make friends and plant a seed for Christ’s kingdom! Once settled, one of  Ezra’s primary messages was to not intermarry outside the Faith.  (Nehemiah 13:26-27 and others.)  We need partners that will help us get to heaven, and that we can help get to heaven. Married life is challenging enough without different faiths dividing partners.

Key points: The people were not practicing their faith. (23:22)  2Kings 25:8-26 The nation of Judah (the two southern tribes of David and Benjamin) fell to the Babylonians, exiles began in 597,  the final exile and the Temple was destroyed in 586BC.  The brightest people were exiled to serve in the Babylonian administration. Some managed to escape to Egypt.(v.26) 1and 2 Chronicles go over the same events we have seen in previous books, but sometimes with a different viewpoint, just as 2 newspapers can view the same event differently.  For example, 1Chronicles 11-29 parallels 2Samuel 5-24 in describing David’s kingship, but completely avoids mentioning David’s sin with Bathsheba and the resultant murder of Uriah. Both Chronicles books (originally one book) were written around 400BC (after the exile and return.) Written to answer “Why did this (loss of a nation) happen to us?” handout - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HCRQFq9xTUW3j_TmAaHU09dKaZFSukVM/view?usp=sharing

Elisha followed Elijah immediately. (Elisha undoubtedly knew of Elijah before-see chapter 18.)  Jesus also spoke about leaving all behind to follow Jesus.  For us, that means getting rid of whatever attachments or attractions in our lives that are preventing a closer walk with Jesus. Elijah, Elisha foreshadowed John the Baptist and Jesus. 2Kings 5- Naaman would not have been healed if he merely “had faith.”  He had to DO something to be healed, which DEMONSTRATED his faith.  What is God asking YOU to do?  (Clue: See Mt. 25 for SOME ideas.) 2Kings Chapter17 In 722BC Israel (Northern 10 tribes) falls to the Assyrians; most of the people deported, 5 other groups settled in the area, brought their false gods and intermarried.  Mixed race became the Samaritans, despised by the South (Judah) as being “half-breeds.” The nation fell “because they venerated other gods.” (17:7)  Who do you/ we put before God?  Consequences!

All of the Northern Kings (Israel) and most of the Southern Kings (Judah) were bad, in that they permitted, if not promoted, idol worship.  Religious syncretism is easy!  But it’s not truth!  Elijah spoke truth to power (Ahab and Jezebel) despite the consequences.  As a result, Elijah felt alone, outside of God.  But he wasn’t!  God made him aware (19:18) that there were at least 7000 other believers.  You are not alone, either!  Seek comfort, and give comfort to other believers! Many similarities between Elijah and Moses (and Jesus.) Moses, Elijah (representing the Prophets) and Moses (representing the Law) stood with Jesus at the Transfiguration (Mt.17:3).  And Jesus “outshined” them both.

2:19 Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, was his Queen, not any of his wives!  This was true for virtually all of the kings of Judah that followed Solomon.  Hence, Mary as Queen of Heaven.  5:15-8:21 Our churches should be beautiful inside and out: people will be drawn to God by their beauty, and by the devotion and commitment of worshippers it takes to build them.  Solomon had it all: Money, wisdom, power-yet he planted the seeds of his nation’s demise, primarily by marrying foreign wives and placating them by building temples to their “gods.”  He ultimately slipped into idolatry himself. (11:4)  (It’s tough enough to raise a faithful Catholic family when BOTH parents are Catholic.  Why make it more difficult by marrying outside the faith?) Solomon hit the “trifecta” of prohibitions for the King, spelled out in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 -too many “horses”, “wives”, and “silver and gold.” They diverted his attention from God.

73 of the 150 Psalms are attributed to David. 15:13-15 Read also Psalm 3 where  David expresses his stress and fear to God, as he is being hunted by his son, Absalom.  Read Psalm 22 (recited by Jesus on the Cross!) for how David expressed his seeming abandonment by God, but pay special attention to the faithful ending, verses 28-32. 22- Read also Psalm 18 (essentially quoted in this Chapter 22) as David expresses thanks and praise to God for David’s deliverance from his enemies. In general, read Psalm 23 for the ultimate love letter from David to God. David’s life story is also told in 1 Chronicles Chapters 11-29, another account by a different human author. 1 Chronicles emphasizes David’s piety and power, makes no mention of David’s adultery with Bathsheba or his trouble with his son Absalom.

7:18-29 On the positive side, David prays quite often, this time not asking for anything or complaining, but praising God for what God has already done. Prayer is David’s greatest strength! 11-12 David also had deep flaws: He committed adultery and murder! Yet, he repented! (Read Psalm 51, attributed to David, regarding his sorrow and guilt regarding the Bathsheba affair.)  No sin is beyond God’s forgiveness if confessed!  Though flawed, David’s devotion to the Lord is what sets him apart from Saul and many others.  12:21 David “went to the house of the Lord and worshipped”  right after learning that his son had died! 13-15:12  David failed miserably in passing down faith and morals to his children.  He played favorites and did not discipline his children.

Exodus 40:34-35 cloud of glory covered the Tabernacle. (See Luke 1:35 “power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Mary) Numbers 4:15 Can’t “touch” Ark.  2Sam 6:6-7 Uzzah did and died. Mary “untouched”- a perpetual virgin 6:9 “How can the ark come to me?” (See Luke 1:43) 6:11 Ark elsewhere for “3 months.” (See Luke 1:26,40- Mary with Elizabeth for “3 months.”) 6:14-16 David “leaped” when Ark arrived in Jerusalem. (See Luke 1:44- John the Baptist “leaped” in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary Mary and the Ark in Revelation 11:19-12:18.

21:7 “bread of the Presence!”  (RSV-2CE)  God is PRESENT in the bread. 21:3 David lied, 25:22 and 2Sam 1:1-15 David had a severe anger problem,but God can still use him and forgive him.  (Even the best if us sins!  Repent, ask for forgiveness, and move back to God.) 28:7-20 (NOT COVERED IN THE RECORDING) Saul consulted a witch, showing once again that he did not trust God.  Modern-day Exorcists tell us that consulting mediums, ouija boards, horoscopes, etc opens the door toward demon possession. When David was hunted by Saul and hiding in a cave, he prayed!  Psalms 142 and 57 are attributed to David, describing this event.  David prayed while a fugitive in the desert in Chapter 24 (see Psalm 63, also attributed to David.) Good advice for us today, in times of distress! David respected Saul’s anointed POSITION as King, (could easily have killed Saul several times but showed forbearance) as we must show respect to our priests, bishops, and government leaders, even when we may disagree with them. 2Sam 1:26 David was not gay!  This is an example of twisting scripture to fit your morals, instead of the other way around.