"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Chapters 1-8 The visions and exhortations of Zechariah 1–8 were given to the prophet in Jerusalem during the rebuilding of the temple by the returned remnant. The purpose of this portion of the book, dated from November of 520 BC to December of 518 BC, was to encourage the people to complete the new central …
Overview This brief prophecy was delivered to a people whose spiritual lives were in decline because they had allowed their priorities to become misplaced. In a series of sharp exhortations, Haggai encouraged them to consider their ways, to take action, and to take heart. This little book provides a strong word to us when we …
Zephaniah is a powerful and condensed book that uses vivid and gripping imagery to communicate an unrelenting message about the day of judgment that would come not only to Judah and the nations that surrounded Judah, but will also come in the future to all the nations of the earth. Like the majority of Old …
Nahum’s prophecy opens with a description of Yahweh’s righteous character. He is “a jealous and avenging God” who “takes vengeance on His adversaries” (1:2). His power is unlimited and no one can endure His anger (1:3–6). Those who trust in Him discover His goodness and grace, but He overcomes His foes (1:7–8). Because of His …
The prophecy of Micah opens with a declaration of coming judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem), and the cause of this judgment is listed as premeditated crime, covetousness, fraud, and lying prophets (1:1–2:11). Nevertheless, there is a word of hope in God’s promises of regathering and …
With only 21 verses, Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and yet it is a complete message with the twin prophetic themes of condemnation (1–16) and consolation (17–21; the consolation portion concerns Judah, not Edom). The burden of Obadiah is a pronouncement of inescapable doom upon the Edomites (Esau) because they looked …
Amos is an extraordinarily concise and penetrating prophet who multiplies oracles and images to hammer home the solemn theme of inescapable judgment. Only in the last five verses is there a message of hope and promise. The three promises at the end of the book (9:11–15) are that God will restore the line of David, …
Joel’s theme is the day of the Lord that will come upon Judah and the nations. He uses Judah’s dreadful experience of a recent locust plague to illustrate the devastation that awaits the nation if they do not humbly turn to the Lord in repentance and obedience. The day of judgment upon Judah is seen …
The book of Hosea offers a profound illustration of the way we are loved by God. His love for us is unconditional, but it is also marked by His holiness. Because of this, God seeks better things for us than the things we choose for ourselves. This book reminds us of our need to turn …