Study Desk

"A son honors his father. A servant honors his owner. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? If I am a boss, where is My respect? says the Lord of All to you, O religious leaders who hate My name. But you say, ‘How have we hated Your name?'

"A curse will come upon the sinful man who promises to give a male from his flock, but gives an animal that is not perfect to the Lord. For I am a great King," says the Lord of All. "And My name is feared among the nations.

True teaching was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and was right and good. And he turned many from sin.

For the lips of a religious leader should have much learning. Men should listen for teaching from his mouth, for he is sent by the Lord of All.

"For I hate divorce," says the Lord, the God of Israel. "And I hate the man who does wrong to his wife," says the Lord of All. "So be careful in your spirit, and be one who can be trusted."

"See, I am going to send one with news, and he will make the way ready before Me. Then all at once the Lord you are looking for will come to His house. The one with the news of the agreement, whom you desire, is coming," says the Lord of All.

"But who can live through the day of His coming? Who can stand when He shows Himself? For He is like a fire for making gold pure, and like a strong cleaner.

"They will be Mine says the Lord of All, "on that day that I gather My special people. I will have loving-pity on them as a man has loving-pity on his own son who serves him."

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.

Jesse was the father of David the king. King David was the father of Solomon. His mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time the people were taken to Babylon.

The birth of Jesus Christ was like this: Mary His mother had been promised in marriage to Joseph. Before they were married, it was learned that she was to have a baby by the Holy Spirit.

A Son will be born to her. You will give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from the punishment of their sins."

Joseph awoke from his sleep. He did what the angel of the Lord told him to do. He took Mary as his wife.

They asked, "Where is the King of the Jews Who has been born? We have seen His star in the East. We have come to worship Him."

They went into the house and found the young Child with Mary, His mother. Then they got down before Him and worshiped Him. They opened their bags of riches and gave Him gifts of gold and perfume and spices.

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream. He said, "Get up. Take the young Child and His mother to the country of Egypt. Go as fast as you can! Stay there until you hear from Me. Herod is going to look for the young Child to kill Him."

During the night he got up and left with the young Child and His mother for Egypt.

He said, "Get up. Take the young Child and His mother and go into the land of the Jews. Those who tried to kill the young Child are dead."

Joseph got up. He took the young Child and His mother and came into the land of the Jews.