No one likes to hear a sermon on giving. But this sermon will be different than what you might be expecting. When Malachi steps onto the scene a lot has happened over the last few centures: Israel has, due to widespread spiritual rebellion, exhausted God's patience, suffered punishment in way of being conquered by neighboring … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Malachi (My response to the Prosperity Gospel)
Minor Prophets
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Zephaniah
Humility these days is in short supply. I'm certainly no model of humility. Zephaniah preached to, and admonished, a complacent people who had grown repulsively stagnant in their devotion to the very God who had, over and over again, blessed them materially and rescued them from their enemies. Making things worse, Israel had lost their … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Zephaniah
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Habakkuk
The sound of silence... can be deafening. Ever felt like God's "stepped out of the office" and forgotten about you completely? You're not alone. The "heroes of the faith" felt the same way. Habakkuk begins his story with, O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? In Psalm 13, … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Habakkuk
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Nahum
In the mid 7th century B.C., Jonah reluctantly went to Nineveh (the capital city of Assyria) and warned them of God's coming judgment if they did not repent of their heinous cruelty and off-the-chart depravity. They repented. Fast-forward one hundred years. By this time, Nineveh had systematically declined as a city right back into the … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Nahum
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Micah
When we think of the Old Testament prophet, Micah, we commonly think of one of two passages. Either his prophecy of the exact birthplace of Christ (which wouldn't take place for another 750 years): “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Micah
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Jonah
Like other Bible stories we were told as children, we can almost quote the major points of the book of Jonah in our sleep: God tells Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh Jonah says no and runs the other way Jonah gets swallowed by a huge fish Huge fish spits Jonah onto dry … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Jonah
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Obadiah
The shortest book in the Old Testament, Obadiah's message is directed toward Israel's neighbor - and "brother" - Edom. But, even though the book comprises a mere 21 verses, it is not surprising to see how many vital truths, principles and warnings God gives through this prophet. For instance, for centuries, Edom had mocked Israel's … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Obadiah
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Amos
One of the reasons God sent Amos to the northern kingdom of Israel was to rebuke them for their disregard for genuine worship of God. We can't fool God. He knows the difference between a fact and a fake. Genuine and pretentious. It is easy to skim over the biblical passages citing God’s abhorrence of … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Amos
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Joel
Following a devastating locust invasion – unprecedented in its scope of damage – God instructed Joel to use the locusts as a living illustration of the judgment to come on Judah if they did not repent of their luke-warm, indifferent approach to God. In Joel 2:25, God says to Judah, “I will restore to you … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Joel
Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Hosea
Hosea beautifully – and frighteningly – describes God’s loyal/covenant love for a stubborn, rebellious people. Like any parent who loves their child more than anything, God uses Hosea to warn Israel of punishment to come so as to protect them from horrible pain. They refused to listen. Below is a beautiful quote from the 5th … Continue reading Minor Prophets with a Major Message: Hosea