Archives for September 2012

TODAY’S READING: ZEPHANIAH 1 – HAGGAI 2

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment of Judah (Zeph. 1:1-2:3); God’s judgment of the Gentile nations (Zeph. 2:4-3:7); God’s restoration of His people (Zeph. 3:8-20); A call to build (Hag. 1:1-15); A promise of glory (Hag. 2:1-9); A problem of defilement (Hag. 2:10-19); A promise to a servant (Hag. 2:20-23).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Zephaniah is one of the strongest preachers in the entire Bible.  Verse 1 merely introduces him, providing us his background and placement in history, and in verse 2 he is already going for the jugular!  “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD” (1:2).  Zephaniah’s message is a message of judgment.  There are only 53 verses in the entire Book, and there are at least 20 references to “the Day of the LORD”!  (See how many you can find — i.e. “the day of the LORD”, “that day”, “the day”, “same day”, “at that time”, etc.).

 

The “day of the Lord” is a two-edged sword.  On one side, it is a horrendous day.  For evildoers, Zephaniah says, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (1:15).  Zephaniah adds that it is a day when the earth’s mightiest men shall “cry bitterly” (1:14), and the earth’s wealthiest men will see the futility and worthlessness of their “silver” and “gold” to “deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath” (1:18).

 

On the other side of the “day of the Lord” sword, it is a glorious day.  For the Lord’s faithful, Zephaniah exhorts, “Sing, O daughter ofZion; shout, O Israel: be glad and rejoice with all the heart” (3:14). In verse 17, Zephaniah adds, “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”  This two-edged sword describing the day of the Lord can also be seen in Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in II Thessalonians 1:7-10: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our LORD Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”  Note that while those who know not God are the recipients of His vengeance and punishment, on that same day, He is the recipient of glory and admiration from those who do know Him.

 

Though the Book of Zephaniah is built around the day of the Lord, another key word in the Book is the word “remnant.”  In fact, the theme of the Book is the salvation ofIsrael’s remnant.  Interestingly enough, the name Zephaniah means “Jehovah hides” or “Jehovah protects/treasures.”  That is exactly what God will do withIsrael’s believing remnant during the outpouring of His incredible wrath in “the day of the Lord.” (Rev. 12:13-17).

 

A brief breakdown of the Book is as follows:

 

In 1:1-2:3, Zephaniah reveals GOD’S JUDGMENT OF JUDAH.  Notice in 1:4-6, that Judah, like Laodicea, had three kinds of sinners: 1) Those who have totally forsaken God and worship idols; 2) Those who worship (or think they worship) both God and idols; 3) Those who at one time followed the Lord, but have totally and openly forsaken Him and want nothing to do with Him.

 

In 2:4-3:7, Zephaniah reveals GOD’S JUDGMENT OF THE GENTILE NATIONS.  After describing His judgment upon them, God makes an appeal to His own people (3:1-7), saying in effect, “If I will judge the heathen nations for their sins, how much more will I judge this sin of the nation that I separated out of all the nations of the world to be holy unto Me?”

 

In 3:8-20, Zephaniah reveals GOD’S RESTORATION OF HIS PEOPLE.  The Book of Zephaniah ends with the incredible promise that God will one day punish the Gentiles, and regather and restoreIsraelandJudahto Himself and to their land.  Notice that 3:8 is most definitely describing the Battle of Armageddon when the Lord Jesus Christ will return out of heaven to rescue Israel from the Gentile nations who will gather against her when He comes on the great “day of the Lord” to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev. 19:11-12: Zeph. 3:8,15).  The Lord’s closing message toIsraelthrough Zephaniah is that “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord” (3:20).  That promise has yet to be fulfilled, but certainly will be in the very near future!

 

Today’s reading also includes the two chapters that comprise the Book of Haggai (the second shortest Book of the Old Testament).

 

In order to understand the ministry of the last three prophets (Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi), you must understand that they prophesied after the exile in 520 B.C., and thus, their Books are referred to as post-exile Books.  Here’s a simple way to get the setting of theses Books in your mind:

 

In 536 B.C., Ezra led approximately 50,000 Jews back into their land after the Babylonian captivity.  Under Ezra’s leadership, they rebuilt the altar, reinstated the sacrifices, and in 535 B.C., laid the foundation for the rebuilding of theTemple.  Because of the incredible opposition they faced, the work on theTempleceased.  It was through four godly men that the work finally continued and was ultimately brought to completion:  Zerubbabel, the governor; Joshua, the high priest; and Haggai and Zechariah, the prophets.

 

When Haggai begins his prophecy (1:1), recognize that the date isSeptember 1, 520 B.C.It has been 16 years since the construction on theTemplebegan, but rather than walls covering the foundation, it was covered with weeds.  Interestingly, though God’s house lay desolate, they had found the time and money to make sure that their own houses were completed.  Haggai’s message to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two leaders of the nation, was:  “The people have made a priority out of their own houses and careers, and it’s high time priority is given to the Lord’s house and His cause!”

 

The Book of Haggai breaks down into four sections.  Each one is a “sermon” Haggai preached, and each one is prefaced by the date in which it was delivered (1:1; 2:1;2:10;2:20).  In each “sermon,” Haggai points out a particular sin that will keep us from fulfilling God’s will and accomplishing His work.

 

1. Making self a priority instead of the Lord. (1:1-15 c.f.  II Timothy 3:1-2)
2. Looking back instead of looking ahead. (2:1-9 c.f.  Phil.  3:13-14)
3. Failing to be cleansed of sin. (2:10-19 c.f.  II Cor. 7:1)
4. Unbelief. (2:20-23 c.f. Heb. 3:12-4:2)

 

What work has God called you to accomplish that you have not finished?  (See I Cor. 15:58). 

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE KING OFISRAEL, EVEN THE LORD – Zeph.3:15(John1:49)

 

TODAY’S READING: NAHUM – HABAKKUK

 

OVERVIEW:

Nahum, whose name means “comforter”, comforts God’s people by unveiling God’s plan to take vengeance on the wickedness of the nation of Assyria, beginning with the capitol city of Nineveh (1:15).         

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we have already learned, the vast majority of the Old Testament is written to and by Israelites, the chosen people group of God, so when we discover any book written to a nation other thanIsrael, we have discovered something significant in the plan and revelation of God.  There are only three prophets (out of 16) who prophesy to Gentile nations: Obadiah is addressed toEdom, while Jonah and Nahum concernNineveh, the capitol city ofAssyria.  What doEdomandNinevehhave in common?  Both were Gentile nations who worshiped false gods and were used by Satan to persecute the nation ofIsrael.  God doesn’t take either of these offenses lightly (1:14;3:19).  To add insult to injury, just 150 years earlier God proved toNinevehthat He is “good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon [him]” (Ps. 86:5) when He sent Jonah (Jonah 3) to warn them of coming judgment.  The Ninevites repented and revival broke out, but apparently the Ninevites failed to “make disciples,” because God is once again ready to pour out His wrath (1:2-6 – Look outNineveh! hurricane Jehovah comin’ through!).  Nahum describes how the city ofNinevehwould be destroyed by “an overrunning flood” (1:8) and the “gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved” (2:6), while enemy invaders would ravage and spoil the fortressed city (3:1-7) until an “utter end [was made] of the place” (1:8, 9).  Eighteen years after Nahum’s prophecy, Nabopolassar, king ofBabylon, unsuccessfully beseigedNinevehfor three years until theTigrisRiversuddenly overflowed its banks and washed a hole in the city wall and the Babylonian army rushed into the city, murdering and pillaging.  So complete was the destruction that Alexander the Great marched over the former city without recognizing any evidences of a previous civilization.  In fact, archaeologists didn’t begin excavating the city until 1845 AD.  I guess God’s word is true ;>.

The moral of the story is this: God is longsuffering, but He isn’t a door mat.  When you worship false gods (modern day false gods are wealth, self, sex, etc.) and/or mess with God’s people, God will make a complete and utter end of you (II Thess 1:7-9).  But those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are safe in the Day of Judgment (1:7).

Also in Nahum, God addresses a man and a woman whose full identities are revealed in greater detail in the book of Revelation: the Antichrist (1:11) and Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots (3:4-19 c.f. Rev. 17, 18). Ninevehand her king are types of these end time characters.

 

If the moral of Nahum’s message is that God is not a doormat, then the moral of Habakkuk’s message is: God sure seems to be a doormat.  Nahum is the prophet of God’s wrath realized; Habakkuk is the prophet of God’s patience realized.  Habakkuk is struggling with two of the most common questions of life (1:2-4). First, “If God is good and all powerful then why does He allow evil and suffering in the world?” Second, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”  The very first verse of the Book describes Habakkuk as an indignant prophet pinned under the unbearable burden of life’s injustices.  This man of God has suppressed his frustration and confusion until he can no longer take it.  Habakkuk unleashes his pent up indignation, puts God on trial and asks Him why the wicked are allowed evading judgment and prospering.  God leads Habakkuk up a specific path that ends at the mountain peak of the only possible answer: God knows what He is doing, so relax (3:17-19).  The path is as follows: ! From a burden (1:1), to a vision (2:1-4), to a prayer (3:1), to a song (3:18, 19).  If you examine your past you will see that all of your wrestling matches with God have followed this path and what you thought was an obstacle is actually a stairway leading you high above the nagging questions of life.  May our feet be as hinds’ feet.

Historically, Habakkuk predicts the Babylonian captivity (1:5-11).  Prophetically, chapter three describes some of the events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE STRONG HOLD OF THE FAITHFUL IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE – Nahum 1:7 As THE HOLY ONE – Hab. 3:3. As THE COMING SAVIOR OFISRAEL– Hab. 3:4-6, 18.

 

TODAY’S READING: MICAH 1-7

 

OVERVIEW:

Micah prophecies of God’s wrath (chapter 1); God’s attitude toward oppression (chapter 2); God’s judgment onIsrael’s leaders (chapter 3); the restoration ofIsrael(chapter 4); Christ foretold (chapter 5); the Lord’s controversy (chapter 6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Micah, whose name means, “Who is like Jehovah”, was a country boy from the foothills ofJudah.  He prophesied to the nation ofIsraelbefore the captivity bySamariain 722 B.C. (735-710 B.C.).  His ministry spanned the reigns of Jotham (750-731 B.C.), Ahaz (731-715 B.C.), and Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.).  Most of his prophecy is directed towardJudah(the southern kingdom) since the northern tribes ofIsraelwere about to fall toSamaria.  He was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah. 

 

God opens the book by addressing all of creation (1:1).  He foretells His judgment against both Judah (two southern tribes) andIsrael(ten northern tribes).  This prophecy is partially fulfilled whenIsraelis taken captive bySamariain 722 B.C. andJudahis taken captive byBabylonin 605 B.C.  However, when taken literally, the verbiage points to a time whenIsrael(as a nation) will be judged again.  There is no doubt that the reference to the Lord coming forth out of His place to tread upon the high places of the earth refers to the coming tribulation/Day of the Lord.

 

God then singles out one ofIsrael’s sins in chapter 2.  It is the sin of injustice.  He speaks to those who devise ways to oppress their neighbor.  God makes it clear throughout the Bible that He will repay those who oppress the less fortunate, especially the fatherless and widows.  What an opportunity for us to make our Christianity “real” (James1:27)!  Look for those around you who are oppressed.  Where are the fatherless and widows in our church?  When you understand the heart of God you will see the need to minister to single moms, students whose fathers have left, and those who have been oppressed by others.  Real ministry means really sacrificing to meet the needs of others.  Are you involved? 

 

Micah2:10warnsIsraelto prepare for their coming captivity.  Those prophets who tellIsraelthat the captivity isn’t coming will be received by the people (2:11). Markit down; the popularity of a pastor in no way indicates the accuracy of a pastor.  The Bible proves over and over again that people tend to believe the person who tells them what they want to hear (II Tim. 4:2-4).

 

In chapter 3 God warns the leaders ofIsraelthat they will be held accountable for their failure.  God’s judgment always begins at His house with His leaders (I Peter4:17).  Just as the anti-Christ will proclaim peace before the tribulation (Daniel8:25), the leaders ofIsraelwere proclaiming peace before the coming captivity (3:5). 

 

Micah prophesies of the coming millennium in chapter 4.  This parallels Ezekiel’s prophecy in Ezekiel 44-48.  The people of the earth will flow to the throne of Christ (4:1).  It is a time when the Lord will reign over all the nations of the earth (4:7) and nations will be at peace with other nations (4:3-5).  The world seeks to bring in peace without Christ.  However, there will be no peace without Christ.  This principle applies to our own personal walk as well.  We all want peace in our life.  Many times we see others (and many times even ourselves!), try to find peace without allowing Christ to have victory over strongholds in our lives and reign from the throne of our hearts.  Christ brings peace only when He rules. 

 

Micah chapter 5 contains one of the most well known prophecies concerning Christ.  His place of birth is foretold (Bethlehem– 5:2) and His kingdom is foretold (5:4).

 

Micah chapter 6 contains a trial.  The Lord is bringing a legal argument (controversy – 6:2) against His people.  He calls on nature to serve as the jury (6:1), and Micah to act as His prosecuting attorney.  He reminds Israel of His goodness to them and the leaders He has provided for them (6:3-5).  It should be noted that Moses, Aaron and Miriam were not without sin.  Aaron and Miriam are most often remembered by their failures (the golden calf and questioning Moses’ authority).  However, they were all God’s chosen leaders and God remindsIsraelthat they are a sign of His goodness.  How often God’s people complain against the leaders He has provided.

 

God then admonishesIsraelto rise above religious ceremony and experience a genuine relationship with Him (6:8).  He wants them to walk WITH HIM!  He wants them to do what is right, but show mercy to those who don’t. This thing called Christianity is summed up in this one verse.  Walk with God!  Do right!  Love mercy!

 

Micah ends his Book by prophesying about the eventual restoration ofIsrael(7:12-20).  What a reminder to us that God delights in mercy!  He pardons our iniquity!  He has compassion on us!  And He has cast off our sins!  Why?  He wants to walk with us.  Check that out — WITH US!

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the RULER INISRAELWHO WAS BORN INBETHLEHEM– Micah 5:2. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem as the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give to Him the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32-33; 2:4-6).

 

TODAY’S READING: JONAH 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:

Jonah’s call and rebellion (chapter 1); Jonah’s chastening and repentance (chapter 2); Jonah’s second call and obedience (chapter 3); Jonah’s rebellion and rebuking (chapter 4).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

There is perhaps no prophetic Book of the Old Testament more important than the little Book of Jonah.  It is this Book that prophesies and teaches us about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In fact, Jesus Himself said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas (Jonah): For AS Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; SO shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:39-40).  It is for that reason (as you can well imagine) the Book of Jonah has been more “SPOKEN AGAINST” (see Luke2:24!) than any other Old Testament Book.  The attacks come in many different forms.  One of the most popular attacks from the unsaved world is that the events in this Book didn’t really happen; they are just fiction.  That is why the devil has handed down several similar stories in mythology (Andromeda, Orion, and not the least of which is Hercules, who was in the belly of the sea creature for three days and three nights!).  He would love for the events in the Book of Jonah to be viewed as fiction right along with the fictitious stories of mythology.  Obviously, the devil’s attack isn’t against Jonah and his being spit out on dry land after three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; his attack is against Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection!  Remember, Jesus said, “AS was Jonah, SO was the Son of Man” (Matt.12:39-40).  If Jonah was fictitious, so were His death, burial and resurrection!  We could put it another way; if Jonah is a lie, then Jesus is a liar!

 

Another key attack on the Book of Jonah is the attack that comes from “scholars” in the “saved” world.  They believe that the events all happened, they just don’t believe that Jonah was dead in the belly of that “great fish” (Jonah’s words in Jonah1:17) or “whale” (Jesus’ word in Matt.12:40).  Again, the point is, “AS was Jonah, SO was Jesus”!  If Jonah didn’t actually die and resurrect from the belly of the whale, Jesus didn’t die (enter the “swoon theory”) and resurrect from the heart (belly) of the earth!  I’m not the one that said that Jonah was going to be the only sign given of the resurrection, Jesus did!  It doesn’t matter that we can’t figure it out physiologically, scientifically, practically or any other way.  If Jesus said Jonah was a picture of the resurrection, then he had to die, and that’s where we resign ourselves to Romans 3:4: “Let God be true, but every man a liar”!  Interestingly, the Book of Jonah begins, “Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying” (1:1a).  The name Jonah means “the dove” and the name Amittai means “truth or truth telling.”  A dove is a biblical type of the Holy Spirit (see Matt.3:16), and truth is specifically defined in Scripture as Jesus (John 14:6) and as the Word of God (John17:17). The Book of Jonah is the Book written by the Spirit of God (II Peter1:21) to give us the truth about Jesus, and we’ll leave it at that!

 

Historically, Jonah was a prominent prophet in the northern kingdom ofIsraelduring the reign of Jeroboam (793-753 B.C.), with the specific events described in this Book taking place around 760 B.C. The real purpose of his ministry, as revealed in these four chapters, is to preach to Gentiles, who DO respond to his message with repentance, making it the record of the greatest revival in the history of mankind!  (Note that Ninevah was a city of almost a million people, and thus the continued reference to it being a “great city” – 1:2; 2:2; 3:3; 4:11, and note that every single person in the city responded to the call to repent – 3:5!)

 

From a doctrinal or prophetic standpoint, Jonah is a type of the 144,000 in the Tribulation Period who preach to Gentiles when the world experiences its greatest revival in the history of mankind!

 

All of these things are necessary to understand both the importance of the Book of Jonah and its placement in the canon of Scripture, and hopefully, can help you to understand the big picture.  Regretfully, space is about gone to give some of the important other details.  Some brief things that may help to know or observe as you’re reading:

 

• Ninevah is the capital city ofAssyria(the dominant world power of that time).  Jonah knew that two things were true: #1 – The wickedness ofAssyriahad come up to God (1:1), meaning God was about to blast ‘em!  #2 –Assyriawas about to blast the Nation of Israel.  If God judgesAssyriafor their sin first,Israelwill be spared.  If he preaches to Ninevah and they repent, he is not only signing his own death warrant, but the death warrant of his entire nation.  That will help you make sense out of why Jonah goes in the opposite direction when he’s called to preach to Ninevah, and why he’s so ticked off when almost a million sinners repent.  (See Jer. 18:7-8). 

 

• Jonah went toWhaleUniversity.

 

• Everyone in the Book of Jonah obeyed God except the man of God, the one for whom the Book is named!  The storm, the dice (lot), the sailors, the fish, the Ninevites (again, every last one of them!), the east wind, the gourd, the worm – everyone and everything obeyed except the one you would expect!

 

• Jonah shows us that it is very possible to serve the Lord, and yet not love people.  God makes it very clear through the Book of Jonah that He (God) loves and has pity for lost souls (4:2,11).   This same Book makes clear that Jonah had more love and pity for himself and even for the lousy gourd (4:10-11) than he did for the lost multitudes in the city Ninevah.  As you read this incredible Book, ask yourself, do I care more about myself than I do God’s will or the lost?  To what is my life more consumed than it is the lost people on this planet?

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO WOULD DIE, BE BURIED, AND RISE FROM THE DEAD AFTER THREE DAYS – Jonah 1:7-2:10. (Matt. 12:39-41).

 

TODAY’S READING: AMOS 7- OBADIAH 1

 

OVERVIEW:

The five visions symbolizing the approaching judgment: the plague of locusts, the devouring fire, the plumbline (Amos 7), the basket of summer fruit (Amos 8), the altar (Amos 9); the abasement of Edom’s pride (Obadiah 1-4); the destruction of Edom (Obadiah 5-16); the restoration of Israel and Judah, and the extinction of Edom (Obadiah 17-21).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we left off in yesterday’s reading, Amos had just concluded the third of three sermons God anointed him to preach to provide the bewildered people of Israel the reason God’s judgment was about to come upon them.  They were bewildered because they seemingly had so many “spiritual” things in place.  They observed the feast days; they made sacrifices and gave their offerings, and sang songs to the Lord (5:21-25).  Like so many people and churches today, they could point to all these outward expressions of so-called “worship,” but God, as always, wasn’t looking at the outward appearance; He was looking at their hearts!  Though they had all the correct actions, their problem was their corrupt attitudes (hearts).  “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear”!

 

As we move into chapter 7-9 today, Amos continues his prophecy against the nation ofIsrael.  He challenges those who have developed a false sense of security (6:1 – “them that are at ease inZion, and trust in” everything but God! i.e. themountainofSamaria– 6:1; their money, their homes, their ivory beds, etc.) to beware of impending judgment.  God gives him, three visions in chapter 7 to serve as illustrations of His judgment.  The first vision Amos sees is that of locusts (“grasshoppers”) coming and stripping the land of all of its vegetation.  Amos intercedes onIsrael’s behalf, and the Lord stays the plague of locusts.  Never underestimate the power of intercessory prayer!  God responded in Amos’ day, Elijah’s day (James4:16-17), and He will respond in our day as well. Is there someone for whom God would have you intercede today?

 

The second vision Amos receives is almost the same as the first, but rather than locusts destroying the land, this time he sees it being destroyed by fire (7:4-6), after a severe draught.  Once again, Amos intercedes onIsrael’s behalf, and God chooses to deliver the land. 

 

The third vision is that of a plumbline (7:7-9).  Amos sees the Lord holding a plumbline and standing by a wall that was perfectly plumb.  The point is that God was inspectingIsraelto see ifIsraelwas “out of line,” as we might say, or to see ifIsrael“measured up.”  (As God holds the “plumbline” of His perfect Word next to your life today, how do you measure up?  Is there any area of your life that is out of line?)  Notice in this vision, Amos offers no intercession, and God offers no backing off of His plan to judge them.  Notice in the remainder of chapter 7, that Amaziah, who was the “state priest” as it were, tells Amos “where to go” (Judah–7:12), and do his little prophesying there.  Amos tells him, “Listen pal, I was minding my own business tending sheep and picking fruit when God called me to prophesy on His behalf, and there ain’t anybody including you that’s gonna get me to stop!  And while I’m at it, I just happen to have a prophecy for you!  Your wife is going  to become a “streetwalker” and your entire family is going to die by the sword because of your sin and compromise!”  Go Amos!

 

In chapter 8, God gives Amos a fourth vision.  This time Amos sees “a basket of summer fruit” (8:1-3).  Israel, like summer fruit, has ripened for judgment, and the end was near.  Amos spends the remainder of chapter 8 identifying the sins for which the judgment was coming.

 

In chapter 9, Amos receives the fifth and final vision.  He sees the Lord Himself standing at the altar (9:1-10).  The message is the inescapability of God’s judgment.  Regardless of where they go, God says He will find them.  The Book of Amos doesn’t end on a negative note, however!  In 9:11-5, God promises the future restoration ofIsraelwhich will unfold “in that day.”  What day?  The “day of the Lord;” the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Today’s reading also includes the little Book of Obadiah (only 21 verses!).  Obadiah whose name means “servant of the Lord,” prophesied in the time period between 587 B.C and 580 B.C.  As with every prophetic Book of the Old Testament, the theme is the second coming of Christ or “the day of the Lord.”  This Book is unique in that it is the only Book of the Bible written against a nation of people: the Edomites.

 

The Edomites are the descendants of Esau, and are a group of people who have consistently causedIsraelproblems.  In I Chronicles18:14they become servants toIsrael, but later revolt in II Chronicles 21:8-10, only to continue to causeIsraelproblems.  After that, they become a part of an alliance with Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar that led toIsrael’s downfall.

 

The cold hard facts are, God hates the Edomites!  Why?  Because He said, “I’ll bless them who bless thee, and curse them that curse thee”!  The Edomite nation cursedIsrael, and thus, God’s cursing upon them.

 

This little Book will give you great insight into Romans 9:13 (where a lot of good people have lost their head).  God says, “Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated.”  Some (hypercalvinists) read that and immediately conclude that God chooses who goes to heaven and who goes to hell.  If you go back to Genesis 25, however, God specifically said that there were two nations in Rebekah’s womb.  This is about nations not individuals!  The descendants of Esau, the Edomite nation hated Israel, and because of it, God hated them! By the way when God made that statement that is quoted in Romans, was thousands of years after those two men had lived. 

 

Don’t miss realizing that the Edomites are still in existence in theMiddle East, we just know them by different names today.  But, their game plan is still the same as it ever was:  Give Israel problems!  Notice also, that Psalm 83:4-6 lists the Edomites with the 10 confederated nations of the Antichrist.  That’ll teach you a lot about current events in theMiddle East!

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the PLUMBLINE – Amos 7:7-8 (The Lord Jesus Christ alone is the perfect standard and He alone is qualified to walk in the midst of His people, measuring good and evil, and true and false – Rev. 2-3).

 

 

TODAY’S READING: AMOS 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment upon eight nations (chapters 1-2); the guilt and punishment ofIsrael(chapters 3-6)

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

One of the most beautiful things about the Book of Amos is who God used to write it.  Amos was just a common, ordinary guy of average intelligence.  He didn’t come from a well-to-do or noble family, so no family pedigree (i.e. Amos, the son of…) is given.  When God called him, he made his living as a “herdsman” (1:1) – i.e. sheep-breeder, and as a tender of the sycamore trees (7:14).  The significant thing about Amos, however, is that God used him in a very uncommon, extraordinary, and above average way!  Always bank on it — God is a champion for the common man!  Speaking of the time of Jesus’ ministry,Mark12:37 says, “And the common people heard him gladly”! It was the nobility and intelligential that had such a hard time with Him, spent their time contesting and contending with Him, and ultimately put Him to death!  God has always taken great pleasure “[choosing] the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not,  to bring to nought things that are” (I Cor.1:27-28). He even says in I Cor. 1:26 – “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”  Be sure you don’t take this further than God does, however.  Notice that He says “Not MANY wise, mighty and noble are called.”  He didn’t say, “Not ANY wise, mighty and noble are called.”  There are SOME, there just aren’t MANY.  Recognize today, that the same uncommon, extraordinary, above average thing God did with Amos is the same thing He wants to do with common, ordinary, average folk like you and me!  That may not help you to understand the Book of Amos, but it’s well worth the price of admission, and will certainly help you to understand how incredibly God wants to use you!

 

Now, concerning understanding the Book of Amos.  As verse one indicates, he prophesied during the days when Uzziah was king inJudah, and Jeroboam was king inIsrael.  That would mean he is a contemporary of Hosea, and places his prophetic ministry somewhere between the years of 783 to 753 B.C.

 

During this time, the physical aspects of the northern kingdom were going extremely well.  Businesses flourished, the economy was good, and the government was stable.  The spiritual climate, however, was something totally different.  It was full and running over with idolatry, greed, injustice, immorality, pride and hypocrisy. 

 

In the first two chapters, Amos pronounces judgment on eight nations, saying that God will attack them as a roaring lion (1:2; 3:8) and a consuming fire. (Heb.12:29).  Notice the repetition:

              1:4 – “But I will send a fire”

              1:7 – “But I will send a fire”

             1:10– “But I will send a fire”

             1:12– “But I will send a fire”

             1:14– “But I will kindle a fire”

There was certainly an historic application concerning these eight nations, but as always, the prophets are always pointing to a future fulfillment of these prophecies (i.e. the doctrinal or prophetic application).  The eight nations areDamascus(ofSyria) – (1:3),Gaza(1:6), Tyrus (1:9),Edom(1:11), Ammon (1:13),Moab(2:1),Judah(2:4), andIsrael(2:6).  In 2:6-16, Amos identifies the specific sins that had prompted God’s promise of judgment uponIsrael:  bribery, greed, adultery, immorality, selfishness, ungratefulness, drunkenness (even forcing the Nazarites to drink – vs.12), and rejecting God’s Word.  Notice also the repetition of the phrase, “For three transgressions and for four” (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6).  Very simply, three plus four equals seven, the number of completion.  In other words, God had “reached the top” (completion) with the transgressions of these nations, and was about to execute His complete judgment upon them.

 

In chapters 3-6, Amos delivers three sermons to identify God’s purposes in this judgment.  Each sermon begins the same way, “Hear this word.”  In the sermon Amos preaches in 3:1-15, he tells the people the reason for His judgment uponIsrael.  In his sermon in 4:1-13, Amos lists all the things God had already sought to do to get them to repent, all to no avail.  Note the fierceness of Amos’ preaching in4:12– “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel”! In chapter 5:1-6:14, Amos preaches a message of lamentation, as he lamentsIsrael’s fallen condition.  In 5:3 he says that unless there is repentance, 90% ofIsraelwill die.  Amos tells the people to seek the Lord (5:4, 6, 8, 14), and not just religious activity (i.e. “But seek notBethel” – 5:4).  All three messages have a tremendous devotional application to us, and a tremendous doctrinal application forIsraelin the future.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE – Amos 5:8 (Heb. 1:2-3; Rev. 4:11).

 

 

TODAY’S READING: JOEL 1-3

 

OVERVIEW:

The plague of locusts; Joel’s call to repentance; the great day of the Lord; the Holy Spirit; the restoration of Israel; the judgment of the nations.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we embark into the three chapters of the Book of Joel, the Book begins by saying, “The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.” The name Joel means “Jehovah is God” and the name Pethuel means “the sincerity of God” or “godly simplicity.”  A simple breakdown of the Book of Joel is as follows: Chapter 1 – The Day of the Lord.  Chapter 2 – The Day of the Lord.  Chapter 3 – The Day of the Lord.  Work hard to keep that straight :> .

 

The Book actually begins with a question:  “Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?”  The inferred answer, of course, is “no.”  The “days” Joel is about to describe are so devastating that no one had ever seen anything quite like it.  It is much like Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:21 concerning the days of the great tribulation: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

 

Joel’s prophecy concerning those days was a message God wanted to be handed down generationally through the families (1:3).  It was to be told to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  It is just another reminder that our lives are going to impact, whether negatively (Ex. 20:5; 34:7) or positively (Ps. 78:4-7) the next four generations!  Verse four of chapter one describes how there are certain things that seek to “worm” their way into our lives to slowly but surely “eat” away the important things of life.  What the “palmerworm” doesn’t eat, the “locust” will. What the “locust” doesn’t eat, the “cankerworm” will. What the “cankerworm” doesn’t eat, the “caterpillar” will.  It’s time we “wake up” (1:5) and “sober up” (1:5) and recognize what is actually happening before our lives and the lives of the next four generations are not completely “devoured” (I Peter 5:8) by the enemy!  If you’ve been “sleeping” on your watch (I Thess. 5:6! ), or have allowed yourself to be “drunk” spiritually (I Thess. 5:7), the good news is, if you’ll obey Joel 1:5, and “wake up” and “sober up,”  God can and will “restore to you the years that the locusts hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar and the palmerworm” (2:25)!  Obviously, these admonitions are simply the devotional application of these verses to us.  Historically, Joel is preaching these truths to the people ofJudah.  He reminds them of what they had seen take place in their land by the destruction of a recent plague of locusts.  That judgment, however, would pale in comparison to the judgment that was about to be unleashed by an invading army from the north (the Assyrians).  Their only hope was through repentance. 

 

But even that does not address the real purpose of Joel’s prophecy or to the Book of the Bible that bears his name.  Remember, the doctrinal application, as already mentioned, has to do with the days of the great tribulation (“those days” – 2:29; 3:1), just prior and leading up to “the day of the Lord” (“that day” – 1:15; 2:1, 2, 11; 3:14, 18).  Joel is prophesying about the judgment of God that will be taking place during the Tribulation Period as a northern confederacy converges upon the Nation of Israel just prior to the restoration ofIsrael, in that day when the nation will repent and the Lord Jesus Christ establishes His millennial kingdom. 

 

Seeing those three layers of application will keep you between the white lines as you seek to get your bearings in this Book.  That’s important, because there is a lot of false teaching/doctrine that is propagated out of this little Book of the Bible.  Most of it surrounds chapter 2, and Peter quoting Joel’s prophecy on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when Peter basically says, “This” (the events taking place at Pentecost in Acts 2) “was that” (the events Joel was prophesying in Joel 2).  In Acts 2, Peter is very careful NOT to say that this is the “FULFILLMENT” of the things Joel said!  Note that the Spirit was NOT poured out “upon all flesh” (Joel2:28) at Pentecost.  Notice also that Joel doesn’t mention anything about “tongues” anywhere in this chapter: and notice that none of the “wonders” that Joel does mention in verse 20 took place on the Day of Pentecost.

 

Yes, there was a partial fulfillment of the last days prophecy that Joel is preaching about that did take place on the Day of Pentecost, but by Acts 7, the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy was put on hold, and won’t pick up again until the Tribulation Period.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO SAID, “I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH” – Joel2:28(Zech.12:10; Isa. 54:13; Ezek. 39:29).

TODAY’S READING: HOSEA 7-14

 

OVERVIEW:

Israel’s sin rebuked (chapter 7);Israel’s judgment foretold (chapters 8-10);Israel’s restoration promised (chapters 11-14).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

In yesterday’s reading, just as God had predicted, Hosea’s wife, Gomer, deserted her faithful husband for other “lovers,” a very painful but graphic illustration ofIsrael’s unfaithfulness to her husband, God Himself.  In chapter 3, Gomer even ended up on the slave block, and God commands Hosea to go “redeem” her (or “buy her back”) and restore her as his wife.  (All I can say is, “What a guy!”)  Remember, Hosea is a picture of God, and His love forIsrael, and His plan to restore her as His wife. (All I can say is, “What a God!”)

 

The people ofIsraelall knew who Hosea was, and knew all that his wife had done.  They, no doubt, pointed the finger at her and her many sins.  Little did they realize that they were actually pointing the finger at themselves!  In chapter 4, Hosea begins to help them to understand their own sin (4:1-2), and their unfaithfulness and spiritual adultery against their husband.  Hosea likens them to several graphic pictures:

 

1. “A morning cloud” (6:4) – i.e. here one minute and gone the next.
2. “A cake not turned” (7:8) – what we might call today “half-baked.”  i.e. Their spirituality was only superficial, not into the core of their being.
3. “Gray hairs” (7:9) – i.e. gradually losing their strength, but unaware of the change.
4. “A silly dove” (7:11) – i.e. extremely fickle; here, there, and everywhere.
5. “A deceitful bow” (7:16) – i.e. has everything it needs to fulfill its purpose, but can’t hit the target.

 

Before simply moving on past the above illustrations, you may want to look back to see how many of them would be descriptive of your relationship with the Lord.  It is amazing how “the more things change, the more things stay the same”!

 

As we move into chapter 8, Hosea understood that it would not be long before the Assyrians would come to takeIsraelinto captivity.  He likens God’s judgment to the circling of an eagle (8:1), the devastation of a whirlwind (8:7), and the burning of a fire (8:16).  Numerous times in our 365 Days of Pursuit we have mentioned the Galatians 6:7-8 principle, we “reap” according to what we’ve “sown.”  Don’t miss, however, that the fact is, we always reap MORE than what we sow! Israelsowed the wind, yet reaped a whirlwind (8:7;10:13).  A farmer sows a few seeds that multiply into a huge harvest.  Is there anything you’re sowing in your life right now that you’re not wanting to reap, much less, reap in abundance?! May we learn fromIsrael’s mistakes.  I Corinthians 10:6 and 11 command us to! 

 

Chapter 9 walks us back into some key places of sinfulness inIsrael’s past.  Hosea references the “deep corruption” at Gibeah (9:9), the “shame” and “abominations” at Baalpeor (9:10), and the “wickedness” at Gilgal (9:15).  It teaches us that a life of sin leaves a trail.  In time, the trail itself tells the story of how we ended up where we did.

 

The Book of Hosea doesn’t end, however, on a negative note.  Just as Hosea never lost his love or his heart for his wife in spite of all of her unfaithfulness, God did not lose His love or His heart forIsraelin spite of her unfaithfulness.  And just as Hosea bought his wife back out of slavery to be restored in their relationship, God begins to point to the time when He would redeemIsraelout of their slavery and be restored in His relationship with them.

 

God shows His heart forIsraelin chapter 11, as He reminds them of how He loved them from the very beginning of their relationship, when He called them out ofEgypt.  He also reminds them of how from the very beginning of His marriage to them, they were “bent on backsliding” (11:7).  God “drew them with cords… and bands of love” (11:4), but they saw the cords and bands as restrictive and wanted to be free of Him.

 

In chapter 14, God cries out to His wife to return to Him (14:1).  He says, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (14:4).  He points to a time when the nation will be as a beautiful lily, a fruitful olive tree, and flourish as a vine.  As we have repeatedly seen in the prophets, this is pointing to the time of the Second Coming of Christ when He sets up His millennial kingdom.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

InISRAEL, as the SON WHO WAS CALLED OUT OFEGYPT– Hosea 11:1 (Matt.2:14-15).

TODAY’S READING: HOSEA 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:

Israelcompared to an unfaithful wife (chapter 1); God seeks reconciliation withIsrael(chapter 2); Hosea’s reconciliation with his wife (chapter 3); God’s controversy with his people (chapters 4-6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

We now move into the section of the Old Testament referred to as the Minor Prophets.  As mentioned previously, they are “minor,” not in terms of the content of their message, but simply the length of it.  Keep in mind also, that a prophet was someone God called to take His side against nations and peoples (Deut.18:22– “a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD”).  There is, without a doubt, no prophet who had more of an opportunity to actually “speak in the name of the LORD” than Hosea, as God asked this prophet to do the unthinkable!  “And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms” – Hosea 1:2.  Hosea was actually told to marry a wife that God knew would break his heart by her unfaithfulness.  Why would God do such a thing?  For two reasons.

 

First, because it was a graphic ILLUSTRATION.  Hosea, whose name means “Jehovah, or God, is salvation” (much like “Joshua” in the Old Testament, and “Jesus” in the New Testament), is to take a wife of whoredoms because she depicts the unfaithfulness ofIsraelto her “husband” (Ezek. 16:8-15), the “God of her salvation.” 

 

Secondly, faithful Hosea is to take an unfaithful wife because it is a graphic REALIZATION.  God wanted Hosea to preach to unfaithfulIsrael, feeling in his heart, what God felt in His.  Perhaps the only way Hosea could really preach “in the name of the LORD” with both the Lord’s passion and compassion, was living through the hurt in his relationship with his lover (Gomer), that God felt with His lover (Israel).

 

Are you experiencing hurt in any area of your life right now?  It may reveal something very interesting and significant if you were to take the time to write down the circumstances of what happened to hurt you, and how it has made you feel.  Many times, God allows the events and circumstances of our lives to unfold as they do, not only because it fits perfectly into His sovereign design and plan, but to allow us, like Hosea, to feel in our hearts what He feels in His!  When we actually put the situation that has hurt us into words, we discover that what we are going through and how it has made us feel, is no different than what God goes through and feels, and has gone through and felt!  The New Testament terminology for this principle is “the fellowship of His suffering” (Phil.3:10).

 

It seems, however, that most Christians never connect the dots of the pain that they are experiencing, to what the Lord went through in His pain (i.e. His suffering).  Missing this connection, it is way too easy to begin to use our circumstances to justify our vengeance, anger or bitterness, rather than to allow our circumstances to move us into a whole other dimension of “fellowship” with our Lord!  God has always longed for and looked for people “after His own heart.”  Sadly, when He orchestrates/allows the events and circumstances of our lives to make us that kind of people, we forget that the real prayer and desire of our hearts really is Philippians 3:10 – “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”, and miss that God, through our circumstances has actually answered our prayers!  This is another one of those principles you might want to take the rest of the day to meditate on, and from there, the rest of your life!

 

And before we actually get into the “guts” of the Book of Hosea, don’t’ miss that Gomer is also a very graphic and extremely sad picture of us.  When we “love the world” (I John2:15), or seek to rationalize or justify our “friendship with the world” (James 4:4), our “husband” (II Cor. 11:2), the God of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ views it, and even calls it “adultery”!!! (See James 4:4)!

 

As we move into chapter one, note also the lesson God wanted to “preach” toIsraelthrough Hoesa’s three children.  God named his first child “Jezreel,”  meaning “God sows” or “God scatters,” depicting the fact that God was about to scatter the nation of Israel.  His second child God named “Loruhamah,” meaning “no mercy” or “unpitied.”  She pointed to the fact that God would no longer extend His mercy toIsrael, but would be taken into captivity.  The third child God named “Loammi,” meaning “not my people,” teachingIsraelthat He no longer recognized them as His children.  It may have been that Loammi was not actually Hosea’s child, but a child born of Gomer’s whoredoms.  It would be hard to get very far away from your calling if you had to give your children such names!  It would be like God asking those of us called to “preach” to this generation (Rom.10:14), to name our children “Laodicea” (meaning “the rights of the people”), “Lukewarm” (depicting the state of His church), and “Selfish” (depicting the real love of His people, “lovers of their own selves” – II Tim. 3:2).  Note, however, in Hosea 2:1, the Lord points to a time when the “Lo” (i.e. meaning “no” or “not” or “without”) would be removed, andIsraelwould again be “Ammi” (“my people”) and “Ruhamah” (“having obtained mercy”).  Note also that “in that day,” “Jezreel” will no longer mean “God scatters,” but “God sows.” God says in2:23, “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.”  That of course, will be during the Great Tribulation, culminating with the Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.

 

More will be said concerning the chapters in today’s reading in tomorrow’s “Highlights and Insights.”

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through HOSEA’S LOVE FOR HIS UNWORTHY, SINFUL WIFE – Hosea 3:1-5 (Rom.5:8; Rom.8:32; II Peter 1:3).

 

 

 

 

 

TODAY’S READING: DANIEL 10-12

 

OVERVIEW:

Daniel’s prayer answered by God’s messenger who was detained for 21 days by the Prince of Persia; prophecy of the kingdoms from the time of Daniel to the Antichrist; the Great Tribulation.                                        

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The first half of Daniel’s book centers on the prophet’s personal historic adventures.  The second half focuses on his prophetic visions.  God’s people, a major political and military force among the Gentiles since the days of Joshua, now find themselves under Gentile domination.  But even world powers do not raise and fall without the consent of almighty God.  In a remarkable collection of prophecies, Daniel sets forth both the near and distant future of God’s chosen people; a future filled with purifying judgment and blessing.

 

The history of the Greek Empire is detailed further for us in chapter 11.  This is truly one of the most remarkable prophecies in the entire Bible!  In perfect sequence, Daniel chronicled in advance the coming of Alexander the Great, the division of his empire into four parts; the conflicts between Syria and Egypt, Israel’s miseries as the pawn between these two rival powers (called the “king of the north and the king of the south”), the dark days of the tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes who most certainly is a picture of the coming Antichrist, and the struggle of the Maccabees.  He even saw prophetically the intervention ofRomein the affairs ofPalestine.  Then, Daniel goes onto to speak of the last days and of the coming of the actual Antichrist of who Antiochus was but a type.  We are told two interesting things regarding the Antichrist in chapter 11.  Verse 20 teaches us that he will be a “raiser of taxes,” and verse 37 tells us that he will not “desire women,” and is, therefore, most probably a homosexual.

 

The Great Tribulation is prophesied in chapter 12 and even Daniel himself does not understand what he is even writing about (12:8).  He gets no explanation from God either.  Verse 9 tells us that the words of this book are closed and sealed until the time of the end (which just happens to be the time in which we are now living).  Regarding this time of the end, we are told in Daniel 12:4 that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.  That is an amazing prophecy considering the modes of transportation (automobile, airplane, and space shuttle) and accessibility of information (internet) available to us today, as opposed what was available in Daniel’s time (horse and chariot).  We are truly living in the time of the end, so let us purify ourselves as we wait for the return of our Lord (I John 3:3)!                  

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE ONE WHO LIVES FOREVER – Dan. 12:7 (see John8:58; Rev. 1:8; 4:8)