David Reagan's introduction to Doug Stauffer's new book, One Book Stands Alone.

In this chapter, God gives Zechariah two visions of warning. First, he sees a flying roll, which is identified as the curse. This pictures the law of God and the curse on those who disobey it. Second, he sees a woman sitting in a basket called an ephah (after the size of the basket). This vision is called wickedness and portrays false religion.

In this psalm, we see a discouraged saint lifted up by meditating on the wondrous works of God. The first nine verses vividly describe the depths of despair. But in the tenth verse, we see a decision to remember the blessings of God. The next few verses (v.11-15) meditate on the works of God and the psalm closes with the saint finding God in the depths of the sea. O glorious message of encouragement!

Paul speaks of his desire to preach the gospel as a debtor to all men. He also speaks of the responsibility of all men to respond to the revelation given to them.

This psalm proclaims a victorious God. He will defeat His enemies and cause His judgment to be heard. But He will save all the meek of the earth. Surely, this is a God to be feared.

Of the Levites, men were chosen to keep the treasures of the house of the Lord. Other men were chosen as rulers of the outward business over Israel, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.

The Lord continues to describe the curses Israel will face if the nation turns from the Lord and from obeying His commandments. Unfortunately, Israel rebelled against the Lord and suffered through the troubles listed in this chapter.

Man, because of his evil imaginations and wicked actions, corrupted the earth and filled it with violence. God determined to destroy all life from the face of the earth by a flood. But Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord and God gave him plans for the building of a life-saving ark.

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with a declaration about the gospel. Then, after sending his greetings to the Romans, he tells them of his desire to visit them and be a blessing to them.

Zechariah speaks of the cleansing and service of Joshua, the high priest at the time of the return from Babylonian captivity. He also points to the coming of the BRANCH and the redemption of the land of Israel.