Archive for the ‘Minor prophets’ Category

Scripture reading for September 25th: Zephaniah 1-3

“The great day of the Lord is near–near and coming quickly.  Listen!  The cry  on the day of the Lord will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. . . Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath.  In the fire of His jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.” (Zephaniah 1:14, 18)

Zephaniah was raised up during the time of Josiah, a godly king of Judah who led in a revival.  (2nd Chronicles 34:1-7)  Josiah cleansed the temple and the land of idols and repaired the temple.  However, this revival was shallow and did not deter God’s people from their complacency and half-hearted worship.  Zephaniah was given an end-time message of coming judgment for the wicked on the ‘day of the Lord’. This day would come suddenly with no time to escape.  It would come to all who live on the earth! (Revelation 22:12-13)

“Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation, before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you.  Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands.  Seek righteousness, seek humility: perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:1-3)  The remedy for this coming day of wrath was to gather together as God’s people and humbly seek Him!  It sounds so simple and yet is so profound.  God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud.  (1st Peter 5:5)

“Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!  For the Lord has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy.  The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;  never again will you fear any harm. . .The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:14-15,17)  These are some of the most encouraging and comforting words in the Old Testament.  God answers prayer and does for His people what they cannot do!  He saves us with His mighty love!

Scripture reading for September 24th: Habakkuk 1-3

God places a hunger in His people for more of His presence!  Sin has caused us to be separated from God and darkens our knowledge of Him.  As God draws us and reveals Himself to us, we have the entrance of His light into our consciousness.  We begin to see the world and try to understand how God is working in the mess we see.  We struggle at times to make sense out of what we observe.  The world is full of violence and wickedness and God seems absent.  Habakkuk struggled to make sense of his times and cried to the Lord for understanding!

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?  Or cry out “Violence!” but you do not save?  Why do you make me look at injustice?  Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.  Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails.  The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)  As he looked at his world,  Habakkuk felt that things were out of control. He wondered if God were absent or did not notice all the trouble.

God answered Habakkuk by telling him that He was going to act soon by raising up the Babylonians to bring judgment on God’s unruly people.  Things were really not out of control!   (Habakkuk 1:6-11)  This revelation brought another question.  He asked how a holy God could use wicked men to punish His people. ( Habakkuk 1:12-17)  God told him that all evil would be punished, “but the righteous will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4b)  This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament.  (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38)

In faith, Habakkuk cried out to the Lord for revival! “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2)  Oh how we need this prayer from God’s people today!  It is a prayer of faith for God’s grace to be poured out on His people.  We need it today, in our time!  We need mercy as God’s wrath is being poured out on the wicked!   God is indeed in control and will answer the cry of His people for renewal!

Scripture reading for September 23rd: Nahum 1-3

Nahum was a prophet sent to declare God’s judgment on Nineveh.  Jonah had come about a hundred years earlier to give a message of judgment to this wicked city and to his surprise and dismay, all the city repented!  God was delighted to give this city more time to get their lives in order and spare the cattle.  (Jonah 4:11)  But as often happens, emotional repentance may work for a short time but sin’s grip takes hold and drags individuals and nations back into rebellion and wickedness.  Nineveh again had crossed the line and God had decreed destruction to those who failed to heed His earlier warning.

Nahum, like Micah, saw a vision of God coming in the awesome power of nature.  He saw God coming in a whirlwind and storm, with clouds as the dust of His feet.  He could almost feel the earth shake and tremble at His presence and see the hills melt.  People also trembled with fear as God’s wrath was poured out like fire and rocks split open at His coming!  (Nahum 1:3-6) (Micah 1:3-4)  Nahum declared that this coming would bring destruction upon Nineveh and all who oppose Him.

“From you, O Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and counsels wickedness.” (Nahum 1:11)  There seemed to be one evil ruler who God cited as being behind this wickedness.  God promised to prepare his grave for him, because he was so vile! (Nahum 1:13)

“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!  Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows.  No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.” Nahum 1:15  This God who would come walking on the high places would bring good news to God’s people!  Their enemy had been completely destroyed!  No more would he torment them!  God’s people could celebrate and fulfill their vows in joy!

This is truly good news for God’s people of all times!  Through Jesus Christ, Satan has been defeated at the cross!   The feet bringing “good news” were that of our Savior!  (Isaiah 52:7)  They were pierced with nails that we might be free to walk with God!  Our enemy, Satan has been totally defeated!  His end is sure–the Lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels!  (Revelation 20:10)  True peace with God is ours forever!

Scripture reading for September 22nd: Micah 6-7

Many people have tried hard to please their ‘gods’.  Some live like hermits and take vows of poverty hoping to find favor with God.  Others have sacrificed their own children to appease their god.  Others have offered extravagant sacrifices and have built extraordinary buildings to try and honor a god.  God Himself told the Israelites what He required of them.  “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

God makes it simple for His people.  His instructions aren’t long and hard or burdensome.  They could be easily done by anyone.   We do have a major problem, however.  It is our “sin” nature.  We are sinners at our core and sin because it is our nature.  David stated it well, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5)  Jesus told a very well-learned Pharisee, Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)  Because of our need of new birth and the inherited sin nature, we cannot ” love mercy, do justly and walk humbly with our God”!

That is why God’s people had been given the law and the sacrificial offerings under the Mosaic covenant.  Faith and blood sacrifice helped the Israelites to know God’s mercy and understand His justice.  The soul that sins must die.  The innocent animal substituted for the sinner’s life and reminded him of the cost of justice before God.  By faith, sin was covered and the humble sacrifice of the animal brought humility and the fear of the Lord to God’s people.

Today we have something even better!  We have a better covenant made with a better sacrifice!  (Hebrews 9:15)  Jesus Christ, God’s Son came to earth to demonstrate God’s love for us.  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!  (Romans 5:8)  We are justified freely by His blood shed for us!  (Romans 3:22-26)  We have been adopted as God’s children and become heirs of God through faith in Jesus Christ!  (Romans 8:15-18) There is no condemnation and we are enabled by the gift of the Holy Spirit to walk humbly with our God!   God’s requirements are fully met by faith in Jesus Christ who faithfully lived Micah 6:8.

Scripture reading for September 21st: Micah 3-5

The false prophets of Micah’s day were in business for the money.  If you fed them, then they would give you a good word.  If you did not, then they were against you!  (Micah 3:6)  God promised that these false prophets would enter a time of darkness where God would not answer them.  He likened them to fortune tellers who gave readings for money!  (Micah 3:11)  They claimed to speak for the Lord and prophesied peace because God was in the midst of His people.

Micah, on the other hand, was filled with the Spirit of the Lord and power.  He was motivated to stand for justice and truth and declared plainly to Israel and Judah their sins.  “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3:8)  He plainly rebuked Israel for distorting truth and despising justice.  He laid out a case against Judah for bloodshed and wickedness, bribery and money grabbing religion.  The result was God’s judgment on the land and the destruction of Jerusalem.  Micah was declaring the true fortune of the people who were in sin and rebelling against God.

Micah also declared the future state of Jerusalem after the time of exile.  “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.  Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob.  He will teach us his ways , so that we may walk in his paths.” God has plans for Jerusalem in the future.  It will be established as the central site of God’s rule in the last days.  God’s law and word will go out from there and God will judge between many peoples and establish a reign of peace.

The one who would bring this peace would be born in Bethlehem from the tribe of Judah!  (Micah 5:2)  This ruler would have origins from ancient times.  He would shepherd the flock in God’s strength and His greatness would go to the ends of the earth!  Micah was prophesying the future plans of God for rulership of the earth under Jesus Christ!  Now that’s real fortune telling!

Scripture reading for September 20th: Micah 1-2

Micah began his ministry with a vision of the Lord coming to visit the earth.  “Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.  Look!  The Lord is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads the high places of the earth.  The mountains melt beneath Him and valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. (Micah 1:2-4)  God’s coming would be sudden and earth-shaking!  There would be great glory and would get mankind’s attention quickly!

The reason for this coming of the Lord was to judge Israel’s sins.  These sins included idolatry in Samaria and Jerusalem!  (Micah 1:5-7)  The worship of these idols included prostitution, and sexual sin was rampant.  God was angry and about to bring disaster upon His idolatrous people!  They would be overrun and go into exile!

“If a liar or deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people.” (Micah 2:11)

God’s word to His people through Micah was strong because the people were headed for judgment.  The Israelites had grown corrupt and had forsaken the Lord.  They were coveting fields and defrauding their neighbors of their property and ability to make a living.  The rich were taking advantage of the poor and were not aware that the Lord was displeased and about to come to them in judgment. God had sent prophets to them to warn them but they refused to listen.  They told them not to prophesy to them, they did not want to hear that the Lord was angry. (Micah 2:6-7)   God told them that their attitudes and actions were taking away blessing from their own children! (Micah 2:9)

When people are worldly, they seek a god that will fit their lifestyle.  This is our plight in America today.  Many carnal Christians say they love God, but do not want to hear rebuke for their sins.  They want smooth messages that make them feel good in their sins.  They value their pocket books more than righteousness in their elected officials.  Homes are being broken by sexual idolatry. Would God recommend a deceiving prophet who will prophesy plenty of wine and beer for us?  Are we listening to one?

Dear Friends,

Greetings on a day of rest and reflection!   Jesus Christ is Lord!  He is coming soon!  Are you ready to meet Him? Will He commend you for a job well done?  Do you know your purpose here in His plan?  Worship focuses us on God and His purposes and enables us to see our purpose!  It opens us to hear His voice through the preaching and gifts of the Spirit.  Don’t neglect corporate worship with God’s people today!

This past week we have read in the minor prophets and covered Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah.  These prophets were simple men chosen by God to be his mouthpiece.  Amos was a shepherd and fig farmer.  He was obedient to the Lord, but did not consider himself to be anything special. (Amos 7:12-14)  He took abuse from the people God sent him to.   Obadiah’s only recorded message is his short prophesy against Edom.  Edom hated Israel and probably did not welcome this word from Obadiah!  We know he was obedient and that his word came to pass as predicted!

Jonah was the last prophet mentioned this week.  He was reluctant to go where God sent him.  We sometimes feel that God’s directions are too hard or too dangerous.  Human nature doesn’t like conflict and carrying a message that will certainly bring conflict can make anyone reluctant!   However, trying to hide from God is not rational or possible!

What can we learn from these prophets?  First, it is always best to obey the Lord and go where He sends us and say what He says.  Obedience blesses God’s heart and further promotes His plan.  Second, not everyone will like our message, but some may repent.  God cares for the few or many that will repent!  In fact, He wants none to perish!  The third observation concerns our own motives and prejudice.  Our underlying judgment of the people God sends us to will be  exposed.  We must take time and line our hearts with God’s heart.  He has compassion on all and wants none to perish!

Take time today to examine your heart and motives.  Are you going where God has directed?  Are you preaching a straight message?  Do you truly love those you minister too?  God loves a cheerful giver!

In His Love,

Pastor John

Scripture reading for September 18th: Jonah 1-4

I spent the early years of my life farming and raising cattle.  I milked cows in my youth and got very personal with them.  Our family enjoyed their milk, cream and butter as well as beef. My cows would come when I called them.   Later, I had a herd of nearly a hundred beef cows and could lead them around from field to field with my tractor and feed wagon. I enjoyed cows and loved raising them.

You might be wondering what this discussion has to do with the Bible and the prophet Jonah.  Jonah was a prophet of God who was sent to a land that was full of people who were ignorant of God.  This land also had a lot of cattle in it.  God cared for the people and gave Jonah a message of coming judgment in hopes of turning these people to repentance.  God also noted that he cared for their cattle as well!  What a compassionate God we are dealing with!  I can love a God like that!

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This is the modern day city of Mosul, Iraq.   The Assyrians were known as wicked people who were extremely brutal.  Jonah thought that they should be judged but he did not want any part of the job God had asked him to do.  He fled on a ship to Tarshish.  His disobedience brought a violent storm and the sailors feared for their lives.  They cast lots and found Jonah the responsible party for the storm for Jonah told them he was running from the Lord. (Jonah 1:10) They finally threw Jonah overboard and he was swallowed by a great fish sent by the Lord! (Jonah 1:17)  The sea became calm immediately and the seamen were touched by God!

From the belly of the fish, Jonah came to his senses and agreed to go.  God had the fish deposit him on Nineveh’s shore and he began to preach. “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned”. (Jonah 3:4)  The Ninevites believed God and repented!  Even the beasts were clothed with sackcloth!  God had compassion and relented!

Jonah became angry!  He wanted these wicked people destroyed!  But God had compassion on the city and even it’s cattle!  (Jonah 4:10-11)  What a lesson in God’s compassion and the power of repentance!

Scripture reading for September 17th: Obadiah

Jacob and Esau were twin brother born to Isaac and Rebekah as a result of prayer.  (Genesis 25:20-23) God gave a prophetic word to Rebekah about the boys in her womb.  He said that the older would serve the younger and they would form two distinct nations.  These boys were born, Esau first and then Jacob.  They were different and had conflict with one another from a young age.  They separated for a time and then made up when they came back together, but their offspring were continually in conflict with one another.  The book of Obadiah is a prophecy given to Edom about a thousand years after Esau’s time.  The conflict had gotten God’s attention and judgment was about to fall!

Esau had become proud and haughty and felt that no one could touch them  (Obadiah 3-4), but God said He would bring them down!  The reason for their downfall, besides the pride, was violence against Jacob!  (Obadiah 10)  They failed to help their brothers and instead sided with Jacob’s enemies.  They looked down on Israel in their day of calamity and handed over the survivors in the day of trouble. (Obadiah 13-14)

God promised that as they had done, it would be done to them!  (Obadiah 15)  There is a law of sowing and reaping that no man or nation can escape.  How we treat Israel and God’s people is noticed by the Lord.  Those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed!  Those who mock Israel will themselves be mocked and ultimately destroyed!    “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon you own head.  Just as you drank on My holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.” (Obadiah 15-16)

Obadiah promised destruction of the house of Esau, but deliverance for Mt. Zion.  We in America should take note of this prophetic word in our time and day!  We have always been strong supporters of Israel and God has blessed us.  When we have gone against Israel, we have suffered.  Could it be that our national economic mess is tied to our current weak support of Israel and our insistence that they give away their land?  The day of the Lord is near!

Scripture reading for September 16th: Amos 8-9

I have never lived through a famine but have experienced a severe drought.  My wife and I had been farming about 5 years when a very dry year caused our corn crop to nearly fail completely.  We had a large hog herd and many cattle and had to try to buy corn, which was expensive and hard to find.  It was a difficult time that brought us understanding of how dependent we were on the Lord.

In Amos’ day, God also promised a famine would come to His people.  “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land–not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.  Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12)  After warning His people repeatedly, God expected a response but got none.  He was going to act and would stop speaking in warning.  The judgment was going to fall and men and women would then begin to seek out God’s Word.  A famine of the Word would be in the land and no word would be heard.

Amos saw God standing by the altar giving instruction to His holy ones.  They were to strike the tops of the pillars and shake them down on the heads of the people.  None of those who were sinners would escape His judgment.  (Amos 9:1-2)  “and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground.  All the sinners among My people will die by the sword, all those who say ,’Disaster will not overtake or meet us.”"( Amos 9:9-10)

The people had not listened to the word of God spoken by the prophets.  They continued to trust in their own delusion that they were safe in their sins.  God was warning them but they did not repent.  The wages of sin is death.  Eat the life-giving bread of God’s word while it may be found.   It’s hard to satisfy your hunger during a famine!