Joel reflects on the “Day of the Lord” and how true repentance will bring about the great restoration hoped for in the other prophetic books. The Book of Joel accounts for justice over evil in a form that’s unique to the other Old Testament prophets. Unlike the other Books, Joel tells us a story about …
Monthly Archives: May 2020
38621 Overview: Amos
Amos accuses Israel of breaking their covenant with God, and highlights how their idolatry has led to injustice and the neglect of the poor. The Book of Amos is an intriguing Scripture from a unique individual, Amos, a shepherd and fig tree farmer dwelling in southern Judah who is called by God to go to …
38622 Overview: Obadiah
Obadiah announces Edom’s downfall to Babylon, which is an image of how God will bring down all arrogant and violent nations. The smallest Old Testament account, the Book of Obadiah is a vision written by The Lord’s prophet known as Obadiah, who prophesied against Israel’s relative nation Edom. Edom will fall The Edomites, who were …
38623 Overview: Jonah
A subversive story about a rebellious prophet who despises his God for loving his enemies. If you have ever attended church, Sunday school, or bedtime story sessions as a child, you have likely heard about the story in the Book of Jonah at some point. But, the prophet Jonah’s account of remarkable experiences with storms …
38624 Overview: Micah
Micah announces that God’s justice is coming in order to create a new future of love and faithfulness on the other side of Israel’s sin and exile. The book of Micah describes God’s coming judgment on Israel because of its rebellion. The Assyrian Empire and then the Babylon Empire would destroy the nation and leave …
38625 Overview: Nahum
Nahum portrays the downfall of Nineveh and Assyria as an image of how God will confront and bring down all violent human empires. The book of Nahum is a collection of poems announcing the downfall of Assyria, one of Israel’s worst oppressors. Referencing Daniel, Exodus, Isaiah and Babylon, Nahum shows us that the destruction of …
38626 Overview: Habakkuk
Habakkuk struggles to understand God’s goodness in the midst of such evil and injustice in the world. The book of Habakkuk is a compilation of the prophet’s laments, not an accusation against Israel and its sin or a message to the people on God’s behalf like some of the other prophetic books. Instead, Habakkuk questions …
38627 Overview: Zephaniah
Zephaniah announces God’s purifying judgment on Israel. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace. The book of Zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of God’s justice and love found in the prophetic books. Zephaniah warns Israel and the surrounding nations that the day …
38628 Overview: Haggai
Haggai challenges Israel after the exile to remain faithful to their God and rebuild the temple. The people of Israel were conquered by Babylon because they broke their covenant with God through idolatry and injustice. The book of Haggai was written 70 years after this prophesied exile and recounts the experience of a small group …
38629 Overview: Zechariah
Zechariah’s visions foster hope in the future promise of the messianic kingdom, and challenge Israel after the exile to remain faithful to God. Almost 70 years after the exile, the Israelites were experiencing hardships and wondered if prophetic promises of a New Jerusalem would ever be fulfilled. The book of Zechariah answers this question through …