Author: Jon Mitchell

Zechariah: An Old Testament Lesson About New Testament Joy

Remember, God had not commanded these fasts.  The Jews had come up with their observance completely of their own accord.  They commemorated the coming of the Babylonian army (the tenth month – 2 Kings 25:1), the breach the Babylonians made in Jerusalem’s wall (the fourth month – Jer. 39:2), the burning of the temple (the fifth month – 2 Kings 25:8), and the killing of Gedaliah (the seventh month – 2 Kings 25:25).  God wanted them to observe them no longer.  Now they were commanded to feast instead of fast, and to do so with joy, gladness, and cheerfulness, loving truth and peace.  Their joy would motivate those in the cities around them to serve the Lord as well (8:20-23).… Read More Zechariah: An Old Testament Lesson About New Testament Joy

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Bible Q&A: Does Amos Condemn Instrumental Music in Worship in the Old Testament?

Amos 5:23 says that God will not listen to the melody of the Israelites’ harps, contextually talking about their worship.  Amos 6:5 gives a “Woe” to those “who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music.”  We know that the silence of the Scriptures prohibits… Read More Bible Q&A: Does Amos Condemn Instrumental Music in Worship in the Old Testament?

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