Back when I still had a full head of hair, I wrote skits for youth ministry. One of my favorites was called It’s Malachi! In it, the character Kevin—a recently departed snowboarder—arrived in heaven to be greeted by none other than the Old Testament prophet Malachi. During Kevin’s heavenly “orientation,” Malachi eagerly asked him questions about the book bearing his unforgettable name: What did he think of it? Did he have a favorite part?
As their conversation unfolded, it became clear that Kevin had never actually read the book of Malachi. With a touch of disappointment, the prophet asked, “So you devoted your life to God, followed His Son, and didn’t even read the whole book?” Caught off guard, Kevin could only respond, half-jokingly, “Can you plead the Fifth up here?”
Soon, Bible Study Fellowship will begin a new study, Exile & Return, featuring eight Old Testament books of history and prophecy that cover Israel’s exile in Babylon and their eventual return to the promised land. While you have probably read Daniel, Esther, and (at least parts of) Ezekiel, I would be greatly impressed if you can quote passages from Haggai, Ezra, or our good buddy Malachi. (I sure can’t.)
These books speak to people who feel displaced, weary, or like they’re waiting for something more.
So, beyond the obvious personal blessing that comes from reading every page of God’s inspired Word, why should someone living in the 21st century read a bunch of books written approximately 2,500 years ago?
Glad you asked! Exile & Return isn’t just an Old Testament history lesson. These books speak to people who feel displaced, weary, or like they’re waiting for something more (which sounds like my experience today). Walking through these often-ignored pages will uncover the ache of living in a world that is not our home while continually pointing toward our hope of Jesus’s return. Surprisingly, this study reveals the unwavering heart of our Savior, who meets us in every chapter of our lives.
Here are three reasons you’ll love Exile & Return.
1. Exile & Return is written for exiles.
Did you realize that believers live like exiles right at this very moment? While far too many people around the world currently live in physical exile from their homeland, every follower of Jesus Christ awaits their true homeland with God in His kingdom. While Revelation: The Hope addressed this, we must still find a way to live for God’s glory in our present “exiled” circumstances. That is exactly where Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, and Malachi found themselves. Even in exile, living far from their true home as strangers in a strange land, God did not call His people to hide. Instead, He instructed them to plant gardens, build homes and hold weddings (Jeremiah 29:5-7).
What does this mean for us today? As we struggle with life far from our heavenly home, 1 Peter 2:11-12 reminds us of our mission, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”
That said, how do we “live such good lives…that they may see your good deeds and glorify God”? Exile & Return provides practical answers.
2. Exile & Return addresses deeply relatable situations.
Despite being written more than two millennia ago, the books in this study speak directly to our life circumstances today. We could all benefit from practical lessons on:
God using people in the midst of their sin (Ezekiel)
God’s complete sovereignty over nations and leaders (Daniel)
God’s faithfulness to always keep His word (Ezra)
Using influence and position to stand apart for God’s glory (Esther)
Prioritizing God over personal comfort (Haggai)
God restoring repentant sinners through the redeeming work of Israel’s Messiah (Zechariah)
Godly leadership principles (Nehemiah)
Standing firm against moral corruption (Malachi)
And these are only a few of the themes Exile & Return will explore. Through BSF’s study, we will learn to place each book within its historical context, while also discovering personal applications that speak to our practical, often desperate needs for godly guidance today.
3. Exile & Return features Scripture Jesus loved.
People love picturing Jesus as the good shepherd. But did you know the “shepherd” reference to the Messiah first appeared in Ezekiel 34?
Jesus loved to quote Old Testament Scripture. In fact, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).”
That means one of Jesus’ goals in coming to earth was to fulfill everything written in Scripture, including the eight books we will explore. His life, teachings, and mission are inextricably linked to and interwoven within the Old Testament. Anyone wanting to gain a complete picture of our Lord and Savior should absolutely study these amazing books.
All Scripture is divinely inspired to speak truth to all peoples in all times.
In the words of theologian Dr. Carl Laney, BSF’s Exile & Return study will “focus on Jesus, Israel’s Messiah-King, and how His life and ministry are anticipated in Scripture.”
Seeing how the books I often overlook in my study of the Bible strengthen my faith in and appreciation of Jesus has been a blessed shock. To find these books also provide insightful and actionable guidance as situations unfold in my daily life has been nothing short of miraculous, proving once again that all Scripture—even the most “obscure” verse—is divinely inspired to speak truth to all peoples in all times.
That’s something we all need more of in our lives today.
(Knowing I can meet Malachi some day and confidently talk about his book is a nice bonus.)