Archives for September 2025

OVERVIEW:

The Genealogy of the King (chapter 1); the Birth of the King (chapter 2); the Announcement of the King (chapter 3); the Testing of the King (chapter 4).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

When you turn the page in your Bible, after reading the Old Testament book of Malachi, and you come into the New Testament book of Matthew, recognize that there has been a 400-year gap between these two books. Sometimes when we’re talking in terms of history, 400 years doesn’t seem like an extremely long period of time. To help to put it in perspective, however, realize that 400 years ago, most English-speaking people didn’t even own their own copy of the Bible! Four hundred years is a long time! Keep in mind that in those 400 years between the Testaments, God had remained completely silent in terms of new revelation. God had not spoken to a single soul by direct revelation (Genesis 3:8), through the Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:12), out of a cloud (Exodus 34:5-7), from a burning bush (Exodus 3:4), with the mouth of a donkey (Numbers 22:28), the mouth of a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18), or any other means. But recognize, that though He had been silent in the world, He certainly had not been absent! During that 400-year period, God was busy orchestrating the events of history to prepare the world for the coming of His only begotten Son. Remember, Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the FULNESS OF TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” But also understand that the world had changed in those 400 years.

By this time, Hebrew had become a dead language, with Greek and Aramaic now the languages of common communication and commerce. There were also at least five different sects and parties that were now on the scene that were influencing the world religiously, socially, and politically.

1. The Scribes – These were men regarded with great reverence by the Jews as the interpreters and teachers of the Scriptures. Ezra was perhaps the first of this sect, but by the time of Christ, they had degenerated greatly from Ezra’s character and godliness. They were constantly in opposition to Christ, and some of Christ’s most harsh words were directed to the Scribes, and to the next key sect…
2. The Pharisees – These men were also highly regarded by the Jews. They saw themselves as holy and zealous guardians of the law, and were ultra-conservative in all aspects of their beliefs and external behavior. They, too, brought the Lord Jesus Christ tremendous opposition, and were denounced by Him quite frequently.
3. The Sadducees – If the Pharisees were the religious “right”, the Sadducees were the religious “left”. For the most part, they were a part of the wealthy, influential, priestly parties, and were rationalistic and liberal in their beliefs, denying the immortality of the soul, as well as the resurrection.
4. The Herodians – This was not a religious group, but a political party who took their name from Herod. Because of their zealousness for the Roman government, they viewed Christ as a threat to Rome’s authority, viewing Christ as nothing more than a political revolutionary.
5. The Zealots – These were extreme and radical defenders of a theocratic form of government (God rules), and were involved in acts of violence against the Roman government to champion their cause. We will run into these sects repeatedly throughout Matthew, and the other gospels, and it is important to understand who they are to really understand the social, political, and religious world of the New Testament.

As we move into the book of Matthew today, because the events are easily understood, perhaps the best use of our time will be in providing an analysis of the book as a whole:

1. Information About the Author

• His name: Matthew.
• His name means: Gift of the Lord (or Jehovah).
• He is also called Levi. (Mark 2:13-14; Luke 5:27-29)
• He was a Publican. (Matthew 10:3; 17:24-27; Romans 13:1-7)
• He was born a Jew. (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)
• He is the son of Alphaeus. (Mark 2:14)
• He has two brothers, James and Judas. (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16)
• He was chosen to be one of the 12 disciples. (Luke 6:12-16; Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19)

2. Facts About Matthew’s Gospel

• Approximate date of writing: 64-66 A.D.
• Written from: Jerusalem.
• Dates of the recorded events: 4 B.C. – 33 A.D.
• Theme: Christ, the King of the Jews.
• Christ is seen as The Promised King.
• Key Verse: Matthew 27:37.
• Key Word: Kingdom (56 times).
• Chapters: 28; Verses: 1,071; Words: 24,755.

3. Features of Matthew’s Gospel

• This is the only gospel that uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” (32 times).
• This is the only gospel that uses the phrase “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken” (9 times)
• This gospel contains 60 references to the Old Testament.
• This gospel contains 25 fulfilled prophecies.

4. A Simple Outline of Matthew’s Gospel; Two Rejections:

Rejection #1 – The rejection of the Kingdom. (Chapters 1-12)

Rejection #2 – The rejection of the King. (Chapters 13-28)

OVERVIEW:

Introduction (1:1); Israel questions God’s love (1:2–5); the priests dishonor God (1:6–2:9); God’s people dealing treacherously with one another (2:10–16); Israel’s perversion of good and evil (2:17); the promise of “the messenger of the covenant” (3:1–7); Israel robs God (3:8–12); Israel’s arrogant words against God (3:13–15); God’s message of reassurance (3:16–4:3); exhortation to remember the law of Moses (4:4); the promise of Elijah’s return before the day of the Lord (4:5–6).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Upon completing today’s reading, we will have read the last of the 929 chapters, 23,214 verses, 592,439 words, and approximately 2,728,100 letters that comprise the Old Testament. Perhaps this is a good time for us to be reminded that the goal of the 365 Days of Pursuit, though, isn’t simply to get through the word of God but for the Word of God to get through us!

Note at least five things that make the little book of Malachi unique. First, it’s unique in that the exact date of the book is not known. It is generally accepted that Malachi lived approximately 100 years after Haggai and Zechariah, and is associated with the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. To help place his ministry, though, keep in mind that a remnant returned from captivity in 536 B.C. Under Haggai and Zechariah’s leadership, the temple had been rebuilt in approximately 520–516 B.C. After another 60 years, Ezra came on the scene to re-establish the nation spiritually (457 B.C.), and after another 13 years (444 B.C.), Nehemiah was used of God to rebuild the wall. Malachi is most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, because they faced the same exact spiritual problems:

• A profane priesthood. (Malachi 2:1–9 c.f. Nehemiah 13:27–30)
• Mixed marriages with the heathen. (Malachi 2:10–16 c.f. Nehemiah 13:23–29)
• The withholding of tithes from God’s house. (Malachi 3:8-12 c.f. Nehemiah 13:10-13)
• An overall spiritual apathy in the hearts of God’s people.

The date of the book is placed approximately at 450–400 B.C.

Secondly, the Book of Malachi is unique in the style in which it its written. Malachi uses a question–and–answer format to reveal the absolute spiritual cluelessness of the people due to their arrogance and apathy. There are at least 25 questions recorded in these four brief chapters!

Thirdly, this book is unique in that 47 of the 55 verses in this book are actually spoken by God. That is certainly the highest percentage of any of the books of the prophets.

Fourthly, the book of Malachi is the only one of the prophets whose book ends on a note of condemnation and judgment, rather than restoration and hope. The word God chose to use to conclude the entire Old Testament is quite interesting and revealing. (If you don’t know what it is, take a second now to look it up.) That word points us to the reality of man’s sinful condition, and makes us long for a remedy that is satisfying to God’s justice and holiness. Can you think of one? (See 1^st John 2:2!)

Then, fifthly, this book is unique because when Malachi penned the final word in 4:6, there was no more new revelation from God for a period of approximately 400 years! We often refer to them as “the 400 years of silence”. We might could say the last book of the Old Testament foreshadows the first book of the New Testament, as John the Baptist breaks the silence by declaring, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” (Read Malachi 3:1, and then turn over a few pages into the New Testament and read Matthew 3:1–2!)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the LORD, WHOM YE SEEK, (WHO) SHALL SUDDENLY COME TO HIS TEMPLE — Malachi 3:1 (Mark 11:15–17)

As the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS — Malachi 4:2 (John 9:5)

OVERVIEW:

Zechariah’s first “burden” or oracle, emphasizing Christ’s first coming (9:1–11:17); Zechariah’s second “burden” or oracle, emphasizing Christ’s second coming (12:1–14:21).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Bible is the most incredible history book the world has ever seen. Obviously, it’s a thousand times more than just that, but in terms of history, it is in a class totally by itself. No other history book in the world would even dare to write about events that haven’t yet taken place! (See Isaiah 42:9; 46:9–10) Back in the 1950’s people worried about “red power”. In the 1960’s and 70’s, it was “black power”. In the 80’s it was “white power”, the 90’s it was “yellow power”, and now that we’ve moved into the 21^st century, it seems people are worried about all of the above! But there is only one power to which the world really needs to concern itself, and that’s what we might could call “Jew power”! The fact is, as the prophet Zechariah reveals, even if all of the nations of the world combined military forces and together converged upon Israel (which is exactly what is going to happen at the infamous Battle of Armageddon!), it still wouldn’t (won’t) be enough to stop them! Not necessarily because Israel’s military power and prowess is so great, but because Israel’s coming King is so great and so infinitely powerful!

People in the 21^st century spend a lot of time wondering:

• What will ultimately come of the conflict in the Middle East between the Arabs and Jews?
• Will the Jews be able to hold their land and their beloved city of Jerusalem?
• What nation will ultimately be the world power when all of the turmoil in the world has been settled, and the war on terror is over? Will it be the U.S.? Russia? China?

With the prophecies revealed through Zechariah, there is no wondering necessary. Zechariah emphatically says that Jerusalem will stay in the hands of the Jews, their borders will be established according to God’s specific design, and after the military rampage of the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming, Israel will dominate the world under the rule of their Messiah and King, the Lord Jesus Christ! At that time, Isaiah 9:7 will be a glorious reality: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to established it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Also see Luke 1:32b–33)

The remainder of the book of Zechariah is broken down into two different oracles that God calls “burdens” (9:1; 12:1), against specific nations. In 9:1–8, Zechariah describes the judgment that would come against Israel’s neighbors. We now know that this passage is describing the conquest of the Greek general, Alexander the Great. Though Alexander would conquer many cities, one city he did not destroy was Jerusalem!

In striking contrast to the judgment pronounced on Israel’s neighbors, God promised His people a King whose worldwide reign would establish the world in peace. (9:8–10) Rather than this King making His entrance into Jerusalem on a regal charger (first coming), Zechariah saw Him on a lowly “beast of burden” or donkey. (Matthew 21:4–5; John 12:12–16) What would be the outcome? Zechariah tells us, in 11:12:

• He would be sold for the price of a slave (Matthew 27:3–10);
• He would be arrested and smitten (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31);
• He would be wounded in the house of His friends (Zechariah 13:6; Matthew 26:47–50);
• He would be pierced on the cross (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:32–37).

Ironically, Jerusalem, the city of Peace, crucified its King, the Prince of Peace. Keep in mind that Zechariah prophesied a full 500 years before Christ’s first coming, and yet, every detail of Zechariah’s prophecy concerning Christ’s coming came to pass exactly the way he said they would. So, what might that tell us about Zechariah’s prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming?! They are all going to come to pass with the same impeccable precision!

The glory that Zechariah describes, as he brings his prophecy to a close, is hard to put into words. He provides an awe-inspiring panorama of what God has in store for Israel “in that day”! (Note that that phrase appears no less than 15 times in chapters 12–14 alone!) From a topographical standpoint, Zechariah says the Mount of Olives will split in two when Christ sets foot on it at His second coming. (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:3) From a military standpoint, Zechariah says that all the nations that mess with Israel will be obliterated. (Zechariah 12:9; Revelation 16:14–16; 19:19–21) From a spiritual standpoint, all the godless idols, false prophets, and spirits will be removed from the land. (Zechariah 13:2–3) From a political standpoint, Zechariah says that the Lord Jesus Christ alone will be King of the entire earth! (Zechariah 14:9) That is why it is called, “the day of the Lord”! It’s “the day” the Lord set apart unto Himself and blessed way back in Genesis 2:1–3, and “the day” to which all of history has been and is pointing! It’s that “glorious day” when God’s Son finally receives the glory that is due His name! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

The COMING KING — Zechariah 9:9 (Matthew 21:4–5)

The ONE SOLD FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER — Zechariah 11:12 (Matthew 27:3–10)

The ONE WOUNDED BY HIS FRIEND — Zechariah 13:6 (Matthew 26:47–50)

The ONE WHO WAS PIERCED — Zechariah 12:10 (John 19:32–37)

The SMITTEN SHEPHERD – Zechariah 13:7 (Matthew 26:31)

OVERVIEW:

A call for repentance and exhortation to fathers (1:1–6); the eight visions designed to encourage the people to rebuild the temple (1:7–6:8); Joshua is crowned the high priest (6:9–15); Jews from Bethel inquire concerning the continuance of fasting (7:1–8:23).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Because of the significant content and length of the books of Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah, it is certainly no surprise that they are the most quoted books in the New Testament. Do you realize, however, that the little book of Zechariah (only 14 chapters) is quoted almost 40 times in the New Testament?! That is most certainly because of the messianic emphasis in this book. It is, without a doubt, the most Christ-centered of all the Minor Prophets and contains more messianic prophecies than perhaps any other book in the entire Old Testament. Notice that verse 1 says, “…the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.” (1:1)

The name Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers”. His father’s name, Berechiah, means “Jehovah blesses”. His grandfather’s name, Iddo, means “His time”. If we put the meanings of these three names together, it beautifully states, “Jehovah remembers and blesses in His time!” Hallelujah! You may need that subtle reminder to be a word of encouragement to you today (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11), but the historic and prophetic significance of “the Lord remembering and blessing in His time” has to do with Jews and Jerusalem. In fact, the city of Jerusalem is mentioned 39 times in the book of Zechariah.

Verses 14–17 of chapter 1 are really a condensed overview of the theme of the book, stating that God, the great “I AM,” is jealous for Jerusalem; He remembers what the heathen did to His city; and, one day, He will bless Jerusalem with prosperity and peace!

Do note that Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries who ministered to the same people, even though their lives, their ministries, and their books are filled with contrasts. Haggai was an old man while Zechariah was a young man. (2:4) Haggai preached sermons and Zechariah shared visions. Haggai’s ministry was marked by exhortation as Zechariah’s ministry was marked by encouragement.

Zechariah’s prophecy begins in 1:2 with a statement that could be made in our day just as aptly as it was his own: “The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.” One of the most horrific things about the Laodicean Church Period is what has taken place in the whole realm of fathering. As we have previously discussed, the devil has waged an all-out attack on fathers because they possess the title with which God wants us to relate in our relationship with Him. Fathers, we may need to ask ourselves how we’re doing in fulfilling our seven biblical responsibilities to our children? We may also need to consider, that if the Lord were to comment on our fathering, as He did on the fathers in Zechariah’s day, would He say He was “pleased” with the job we’re doing, or as in their case, would He say He was “sore displeased”? Or, would it be somewhere in-between? Let us hear, heed, and be encouraged in the admonition and promise of verse 3: “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you!” Oh, may we turn to our heavenly Father today! As we have seen all through the Old Testament, the problem in fathering is that unless something supernatural takes place in a man’s life, he invariably becomes like his father, and most often, that isn’t a good thing (1:2), thus, the admonition of verse 4: “Be not as your fathers…”

Zechariah continues in verse 4, saying that though the prophets were crying out to the fathers to turn from their “evil ways” and “evil doings,” they paid absolutely no attention whatsoever to them! In verse 5, God asks, “Where are they now?” Or, in other words, “How’d that kind of life work out for them?” Zechariah states in verse 6, that if they had taken hold of God’s words and statutes, His words and statutes would have taken hold of them! They could have received blessing from the Lord, but because they refused to listen and turn, they willfully chose cursing. Oh Dads, there might be some things we can miss concerning Zechariah’s “visions” in the first 6 chapters, but please don’t miss the message in the first 6 verses!

What follows this powerful exhortation to fathers in 1:1–6, is a series of eight visions that Zechariah received, and was commanded to share with the people. The eight visions, which span 1:7–6:8, were designed by God to encourage the people to rebuild the temple. Each vision is introduced with phrases such as, “I saw…”, “I lifted up my eyes and looked…”, “He showed me…”, etc. The eight visions, and a brief statement concerning God’s message about each of them, is as follows:

1. The Man Riding on a Red Horse. (1:7–17) God is displeased with the Gentiles who are at ease while His people are afflicted. He will punish the nations and restore His people.
2. The Four Horses and Four Carpenters. (1:18–21) God will destroy the four Gentile world powers.
3. The Man with a Measuring Line. (2:1–13) God will restore Jerusalem.
4. Joshua the High Priest. (3:1–10) God will cleanse and restore the priesthood, which is representative of the nation.
5. The Golden Candlestick and Two Olive Trees. (4:1–14) Israel, God’s light-bearer, will rebuild the temple by the power of the Spirit of God (pictured by oil) under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel.
6. The Flying Roll (scroll). (5:1–4) God will judge the sin in the land.
7. The Woman Sitting in the Ephah (a basket used for measuring). (5:5–11) Wickedness (the woman) will be carried from the land back to the land of its origination, Babylon.
8. The Four Chariots. (6:1–8) God controls the nations. His enemies have been shut down, and Jerusalem is safe.

In 6:9–15, for the first time, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah without being in the form of a vision. Joshua, a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, a “priest-king” referred to as “The BRANCH”, would build the temple and sit on the throne!

Chapters 7 and 8 form somewhat of an interlude in the book. In these chapters, God addresses the subject of fasting. The only required fast in the Old Testament was the fast on the Day of Atonement, but the Jews had included fasts to remember the fall of Jerusalem. (We might equate it with remembering the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11.) Zechariah uses this as an opportunity to teach about God’s intention through fasting.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the BRANCH — Zechariah 3:8; 6:12 (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15)

As the STONE THAT REMOVES SIN — Zechariah 3:9 (Romans 9:31–33)

As JOSHUA (Hebrew word for Jesus) THE PRIEST-KING — Zechariah 6:11–13

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1–2:3); God’s judgment of the Gentile nations (Zephaniah 2:4–3:7); God’s restoration of His people (Zephaniah 3:8–20); A call to build (Haggai 1:1–15); A promise of glory (Haggai 2:1–9); A problem of defilement (Haggai 2:10–19); A promise to a servant (Haggai 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’s 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 of Zion; shout, O Israel: be glad and rejoice with all the heart.” (3:14) In 3:17, 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 2^nd 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 very same day, for those of us who have “believed”, we will joyfully and passionately make certain that our Lord is both “glorified” and “admired”!

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 actually “the salvation of Israel’s remnant”. Interestingly the name Zephaniah means “Jehovah hides” or “Jehovah protects/treasures”. That is exactly what God will do with Israel’s believing remnant during the outpouring of His incredible wrath in “the day of the Lord”. (Revelation 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 restore Israel and Judah to 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. (Revelation 19:11–12: Zephaniah 3:8, 15)

The Lord’s closing message to Israel through 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!

HAGGAI

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), we 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 these 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 the temple. Because of the incredible opposition they faced, the work on the temple ceased. 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 is September 1, 520 B.C. It has been 16 years since the construction on the temple began, 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 is high time priority is given to the Lord’s house and His cause!”

The book of Haggai breaks down into four sections. Each section 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 specific sin that keeps God’s people from fulfilling His will and accomplishing His work.

1. Making self a priority instead of the Lord. (1:1–15 c.f. 2^nd Timothy 3:1–2)
2. Looking back instead of looking ahead. (2:1–9 c.f. Philippians 3:13–14)
3. Failing to be cleansed of sin. (2:10–19 c.f. 2^nd Corinthians 7:1)
4. Unbelief. (2:20–23 c.f. Hebrews 3:12–4:2)

We would do well to ask ourselves today: “What work has God called me to accomplish that I haven’t finished? (See 1^st Corinthians 15:58)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE KING OF ISRAEL, EVEN THE LORD — Zephaniah 3:15 (John 1:49)

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. (Nahum 1–3); Habakkuk’s difficult questions for God (Habakkuk 1–2); Habakkuk’s praise to God for answering his questions. (Habakkuk 3)

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we have already learned, the vast majority of the Old Testament is written to and by Israelites, the chosen people of God. When we discover any book of the Old Testament written to a nation other than Israel, we must recognize that 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 prophesied to the people of Edom; and Jonah and Nahum prophesied to Nineveh, the capitol city of Assyria. Just what do Edom and Nineveh have in common? Both were Gentile nations, who worshipped false gods, and were used by Satan to persecute the nation of Israel. Do note that God doesn’t take either of these offenses lightly! (1:14; 3:19) To add insult to injury, just 150 years earlier, God proved to Nineveh that He is “good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon [Him]” (Psalm 86:5) when He sent Jonah to warn them of coming judgment. (Jonah 3) As we saw, the Ninevites heeded the words of Jonah, and as a result of their repentance, revival had broken out in Nineveh! Apparently, the Ninevites failed to “make disciples”, because as we come into the book of Nahum, God is once again ready to pour out His wrath upon them! (1:2–6) Nahum describes how the city of Nineveh would be destroyed by “an overrunning flood” (1:8) and how 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)

As we might expect, 18 years after Nahum’s prophecy, Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, unsuccessfully besieged Nineveh for three years until the Tigris River suddenly overflowed its banks, washing a hole in the city wall and the Babylonian army rushed into the city, murdering the people and pillaging their goods. So complete was the destruction (1:9), that Alexander the Great marched over the former city without recognizing any evidences of a previous civilization! In fact, its existence was so annihilated, archaeologists didn’t even begin excavating the city until 1845 A.D.

The moral of the story is this: God is longsuffering but He isn’t a door mat! When you worship false gods (recognize that our modern day false gods are things like wealth, self, sex, etc.) and/or mess with God’s people, God will make a complete and utter end of you! (2^nd Thessalonians 1:7–9) Those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, will be 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. Revelation 17 and 18) Nineveh and her king are types of these end time characters.

Habakkuk

If the moral of Nahum’s message is that “God is not a door mat,” then the moral of Habakkuk’s message is, “God sure seems to be a door mat!” Nahum is the prophet of God’s WRATH realized; Habakkuk is the prophet of God’s PATIENCE realized. As the book opens, Habakkuk is struggling with two of the most common questions of life:

1. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” (1:2)
2. “If God is good and all powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world?”

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 to evade judgment and prosper. God leads Habakkuk up a specific path that ends on the mountain peak of the only possible answer: God knows what He’s doing, so relax! (3:17–19) The path is as follows: it begins with a “burden” (1:1); the burden is transformed into a “vision” (2:1–4); the vision becomes a “prayer” (3:1); and it ends with “rejoicing” and confidence. (3:18–19) If we examine our past, we will see that all of our wrestling matches with God have followed this same path, and what we thought at the beginning was an obstacle, was actually a stairway leading us high above the nagging questions, circumstances, and issues of life. Let our feet, indeed, be as hinds’ feet. (3:19)

Historically, Habakkuk predicts the Babylonian captivity. (1:5–11) Prophetically, chapter 3 describes events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE stronghold of the faithful in the day of trouble — Nahum 1:7 (John 16:33)

As THE Holy One — Habakkuk 3:3 (Mark 1:24; Acts 2:27; 3:14; 13:35)

As THE coming Savior of Israel – Habakkuk 3:4–6,18 (Acts 13:23)

OVERVIEW:

Micah prophesies of God’s wrath (chapter 1); God’s attitude toward oppression (chapter 2); God’s judgment on Israel’s leaders (chapter 3); the restoration of Israel (chapter 4); Christ foretold (chapter 5); the Lord’s controversy (chapter 6); the eventual restoration of Israel (chapter 7).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Micah, whose name means, “who is like Jehovah”, was a country boy from the foothills of Judah. He prophesied to the nation of Israel for a 25-year period between 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 toward Judah (the southern kingdom) since the northern tribes of Israel were about to fall to Samaria. He was a contemporary of Hosea and Isaiah.

God opens the book by foretelling His judgment against Judah and Israel, specifically naming the capital cities of each: Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah, and Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. (1:1) You’ve just gotta love Micah’s heart for the Lord, and His people, as his message to the people literally brings him to tears, and mourning! (1:8–9) This prophecy is partially fulfilled when Israel is taken captive by Samaria in 722 B.C. and Judah is taken captive by Babylon in 605 B.C. However, when taken literally, the verbiage points to a future time when Israel (as a nation) will once again be judged. There is no doubt that the reference in 1:3 to the “Lord coming forth out of His place to tread upon the high places of the earth” refers to the coming tribulation, which, of course, culminates with “the Day of the Lord”, the second coming of Christ.

In chapter 1, God addresses through Micah, one of Israel’s key sins against God, namely, the sin of idolatry. In chapter 2, God singles out another of Israel’s key sins: the sin of injustice. He specifically speaks to those who devise ways to oppress their neighbor. (2:2) Recognize that God makes it clear throughout the Bible that He will repay those who oppress the less fortunate, especially the fatherless and widows! (Jeremiah 7:5–7; 23:3–5; Ezekiel 22:7; Zechariah 7:10–12; Malachi 3:5) God also makes clear that one of His key priorities, and one of the key priorities of His children, is showing compassion on the fatherless and widows, by “visiting” them “in their affliction”. (James 1:27; Isaiah 1:17; Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:17–18; 14:29; 16:11, 14; 24:19–21; 26:12–13; Psalm 68:5; 146:9) Oh, may we share our Lord’s heart of compassion by looking for those around us who are oppressed, and may we seek opportunities to minister to the affliction of the fatherless and widows in our church, in our community, and in our world! When we truly understand the heart of God, we will be compelled to minister to widows and single moms, young people whose fathers have died or abandoned them, and those who have been oppressed by others. Real ministry means really sacrificing to meet the needs of others!

Micah 2:10 warns Israel to prepare for their coming captivity and warns them against prophets who were telling them that the captivity was not coming. (2:11) Micah tells the people that the prophets who were telling them the positive things they wanted to hear, regardless of how ridiculous their prophecies were, were the prophets they were choosing to follow! (2:11) Mark it down, the popularity of a preacher in no way indicates the accuracy of a preacher! The Bible proves over, and over again, that people tend to blindly follow preachers who scratch them where they itch! God tells us in 2^nd Timothy 4:2–4 that this will be especially characteristic of people living in our time! We must be very discerning!

In chapter 3, God warns the leaders of Israel that they will be held accountable for how they abused His people in failing to care for them, protect them, and lead them. Just as the antichrist will proclaim peace before the tribulation (Daniel 8:25), the leaders of Israel were proclaiming peace before the coming captivity (3:5). God promises His judgment upon them. (3:5–7) Do note, that God’s judgment always begins at His house, and with His leaders! (1^st Peter 4:17)

In chapter 4, Micah prophesies of the coming millennium. This chapter parallels Ezekiel’s prophecy in Ezekiel 44–48. Micah provides a beautiful description of life during Christ’s millennial reign, in 4:1, as Micah describes the Lord’s people “flowing” into Christ’s glorious presence! It is a time when the Lord will rule and reign in His kingdom over all the nations of the earth (4:7); and nations will finally be at peace with other nations. (4:3–5) In this present time, world leaders keep working tenaciously to bring peace on earth apart from Christ. There will never be peace on this earth, however, apart from Christ! Be sure to note that this principle also applies to our own personal walk as well. Every individual on this planet wants their hearts, minds, and lives to be shrouded in peace. Few, however, want Christ! Apart from Christ ruling and reigning in the kingdom that we call our life, we will never experience any lasting peace! Daily, let us surrender every aspect of our lives to the Lordship of Christ, and allow His kingdom, in all its power and glory, to be established in us, and discover His glorious peace!

Micah chapter 5 contains one of the most well-known prophecies concerning Christ, the very city of His birth! (5:2 — “Bethlehem”) Micah also reveals the magnificence of Christ’s kingdom, as it is established on the earth, via His second coming. (5:4) Note also that “the Assyrian” in this chapter is a specific reference to the coming antichrist. (5:5–6)

Micah chapter 6 contains, as it were, a trial. The Lord is presenting His legal case (“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, even in the leaders He had provided for them. (6:3–5) He specifically references Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. From a mere practical and devotional standpoint, what is awesome about this reference to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam is that all three of them were by no means perfect! In fact, Aaron and Miriam are most often remembered by their failures (the golden calf and questioning Moses’ authority) than they are anything else! Yet, God holds all three of them up in this passage as His chosen leaders and reminds Israel that they are a sign of His goodness. Let that be an encouragement to all of us who have failed as a leader or have failed in properly following God’s set leader(s).

What God was desiring as the outcome of His “trial,” was for Israel to rise above mere religious ceremony, and experience a genuine relationship with Him! (6:8) He wanted them to walk “WITH HIM”! He wanted them to do what was right, but show mercy to those who didn’t! Even though we live in a different dispensation, Micah 6:8 provides a pretty simple, and yet, comprehensive overview of how God intends for His people to live their lives: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Perhaps we could express it this way: God wants us to:

1. Walk humbly with Him.
2. Do what’s right.
3. Be merciful to others.

Micah ends his book prophesying about the eventual restoration of Israel. (7:12–20) That is certainly an incredible reality for the nation of Israel, and yet, from a devotional and inspirational standpoint, it is also an incredible and blessed reminder to us that God delights in mercy (7:18); He has compassion on us (7:19a); He pardons our iniquity (7:19b); and He has cast all of our sins into the deepest sea (7:19c)!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the RULER IN ISRAEL WHO WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM — 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.)

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.” (Matthew 12:39–40) It is for that reason, as you can well imagine, that the book of Jonah has been more “SPOKEN AGAINST” (see Luke 2:34!) 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 are fiction. That is why the devil has handed down several similar stories in mythology: Andromeda, Orion, and not the least of which, Hercules, who was supposedly in the belly of a sea creature for three days and three nights! The devil always has a counterfeit, and he would love for the events in the book of Jonah to be viewed as fiction right along with all his fictitious stories in mythology. Obviously, the devil’s attack is not 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!” (Matthew 12:39–40) If Jonah was fictitious, so was Christ’s death, burial and resurrection! We could put it another way: if the book of Jonah is a LIE, then Jesus was 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 do not believe that Jonah was dead in the belly of that “great fish” (Jonah’s words in Jonah 1:17) or “whale” (Jesus’ word in Matthew 12:40). Again, the point is, “AS was Jonah, SO was Jesus!” If Jonah did not die and resurrect from the belly of the whale, then Jesus did not die (enter the “swoon theory”) and resurrect from the heart (belly) of the earth!

Jesus was the one that said that Jonah was going to be the only sign given of the resurrection! (Matthew 12:39) It does not matter that we cannot figure it out physiologically, scientifically, practically, or any other way. If Jesus said Jonah was a picture of the resurrection, then Jonah had to die, and that’s where we resign ourselves to Romans 3:4: “Let God be true, but every man a liar.”

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 Matthew 3:16), and truth is specifically defined in Scripture as Jesus (John 14:6), and as the Word of God! (John 17:17) We could say, therefore, that the book of Jonah is the book written by the Spirit of God (2^nd Peter 1:21) to give us the truth about Jesus; and we’ll leave it at that!

Historically, Jonah was a prominent prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during 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 Nineveh was a city of almost a million people (120,000 preschoolers alone – verse 4:11) and thus, the continued reference to it being a “great city!” (1:2; 2:2; 3:3; 4:11) Note also, that every single person in the city responded to the call to repent! Wow! (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 the greatest revival in the history of mankind! (Revelation 7:4–9) Note the following things that may prove helpful in understanding both the importance of the book of Jonah and its placement in the canon of Scripture, and that can, hopefully, help us to see the big picture:

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

• Jonah went to Whale University.

• Everyone in the entire 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, absolutely everyone and everything obeyed, except the one we 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 Nineveh.

As we read this incredible book today, we would do well to ask ourselves: “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 (Matthew 12:39–41)

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 1:1–4); the destruction of Edom (Obadiah 1:5–16); the restoration of Israel and Judah, and the extinction of Edom (Obadiah 1:17–21).

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, they sang songs to the Lord. (5:21–25) Like so many people and churches today, they could point to all of these outward expressions of so-called “worship”, but God, as always, wasn’t looking at the outward appearance, He was looking at their hearts! (1^st Samuel 16:7; 2^nd Corinthians 5:12) Though they had all the correct OUTWARD ACTIONS, their problem was their corrupt INWARD ATTITUDES (hearts). “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!”

As we move into chapters 7–9 today, Amos continues his prophecy against the nation of Israel. He challenges those who have developed a false sense of security (6:1 — “them that are at ease in Zion”), and trust in everything but God (6:1 — “the mountain of Samaria.” i.e. their money, their homes, their ivory beds, etc.) to beware of impending judgment. God gives Amos 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 its vegetation. (7:1) Amos intercedes on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord stays the plague of locusts. (7:2–3) Oh, may we never underestimate the power of intercessory prayer! God responded in Amos’ day, Elijah’s day (James 4:16–17), 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 after a severe draught. (7:4) Once again, Amos intercedes on Israel’s behalf, and God chooses to deliver the land. (7:5–6)

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 inspecting Israel to see if they were “out of line”, as we might say, or to see if Israel “measured up”. We would all do well to consider that if God held the “plumbline” of His perfect word next to our life today, how would we “measure up”? Is there any area of our life that is “out of line”?

Notice in this vision, Amos offers no intercession and God offers no retraction of His plan to judge them. Notice also in the remainder of chapter 7, that Amaziah, who was the “state priest”, as it were, tells Amos “where to go” (namely, Judah — 7:12) and to do his little prophesying there! Amos tells him (if I might paraphrase), “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!” (7:14–17) Wow! 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 of Israel which will unfold “in that day.” What day? The “day of the Lord” — the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Obadiah

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 particular nation of people, the Edomites. Though we typically think of the Old Testament books addressing the Jews (Israel), this book is written to address Gentiles.

The Edomites are the descendants of Esau, and are a group of people who have consistently caused Israel problems. In 1^st Chronicles 18:14 they become servants to Israel, but later revolt in 2^nd Chronicles 21:8–10, only to continue to cause Israel problems. After that, they become a part of an alliance with Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar that led to Israel’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!” (Genesis 12:3) The Edomite nation cursed Israel, and thus, God’s cursing upon them.

This little book, of only 21 verses, provides great insight into Romans 9:13, where a lot of good people have lost their necks! God says, “…Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated.” Some (Calvinists; Hyper-Calvinists) read that and somehow immediately conclude that God chooses who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. If we 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!

Don’t miss realizing that the Edomites are still in existence in the Middle East; we just know them by different names today. Their game plan, however, is still the same as it ever was: do anything and everything possible to cause Israel grief! Notice also, that Psalm 83:4–6 lists the Edomites with the 10 confederated nations of the antichrist. (Psalm 83) That will certainly provide us great insight into understanding current events in the Middle 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 amid His people, measuring good and evil, and true and false — Revelation 2–3.)

NOTE: To prevent having all extra readings in December, plan to read Jonah tomorrow or Sunday.

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment upon eight nations (chapters 1–2); the guilt and punishment of Israel (chapters 3–6).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

One of the most beautiful things about the book of Amos was the man God chose to use to write it. Amos was just a common, ordinary guy of average intelligence. Hallelujah! He didn’t come from a well-to-do or noble family, so you’ll notice that no family pedigree is listed in the introduction. (i.e. Amos, the son of…) When God called Amos, he made his living as a “herdman” (1:1 — i.e. sheep-breeder), and as a mere “gatherer of sycamore fruit”. (7:14) In 7:14, Amos is trying to communicate that he understood that there was really nothing special about him that would have caused God to have seen fit to choose to use him. Yet, praise be to the Lord, God was able to use this common, ordinary, and very average man in a very uncommon, extraordinary, and above average way!

One thing we learn from the record of history, is that God is always a champion for the common man! Speaking of the time of Jesus’ ministry, Mark said in Mark 12:37, “And the COMMON PEOPLE heard him gladly”! It was the nobility and intelligencia that had such a hard time believing and following Jesus, that spent their time contesting and contending with Him, and ultimately, putting 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”! (1^st Corinthians 1:27–28) He even says in 1^st Corinthians 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.” May we be sure not to take this principle further than God does! Notice that He DOESN’T say “Not ANY wise, mighty and noble are called.” He simply says, “Not MANY wise, mighty and noble are called.” There are “SOME”, there just aren’t “MANY”! Oh, may we recognize today, that the same uncommon, extraordinary, above average thing God was able to do with Amos, is the same exact thing He wants to be able do with common, ordinary, average folks like me and you! This little tirade may not help us to understand the book of Amos, but it will certainly help us to understand how incredibly God wants to use each of us! Praise the Lord!

Now, concerning understanding the book of Amos; as verse 1 indicates, Amos prophesied during the days when Uzziah was king in Judah, and Jeroboam was king in Israel. That would mean he was a contemporary of Hosea, and places his prophetic ministry somewhere between the years of 783 to 753 B.C. During this time historically, 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. The entire kingdom 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”. Notice the repetition:

• “But I will send a fire…” (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 kindle a fire…” (1:14)

The eight nations are Damascus of Syria (1:3), Gaza (1:6), Tyrus (1:9), Edom (1:11), Ammon (1:13), Moab (2:1), Judah (2:4), and Israel (2:6). 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. The point is, God had “reached the top” (completion), as it were, with the transgressions of these nations, and was about to execute His complete judgment upon them!

In 2:6–16, notice that Amos identifies the specific sins that had prompted God’s promise of judgment upon Israel: bribery, greed, adultery, immorality, selfishness, ungratefulness, drunkenness (even forcing the Nazarites to drink! — 2:12), and rejecting God’s word. Sounds like a perfect description of the spiritual climate in our day!

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.” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1) In the sermon Amos preaches in 3:1–15, he tells the people the reason for God’s judgment upon Israel. In his sermon in 4:1–13, Amos lists all the things God had already sought to do to get Israel to repent, and yet, to no avail. (Note the fierceness of Amos’ preaching in 4:12 — “…prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”!)

In chapter 5:1–6:14, Amos preaches a message of lamentation (5:1), as he laments Israel’s fallen condition. In 5:3, he informs them that, unless there is a national repentance, 90% of Israel will die! Amos tells the people to seek the Lord (5:4, 6, 8, 14) and not just religious activity! (i.e. “But seek not Bethel…” — 5:4) Note that all three messages have a tremendous devotional application to us, and a tremendous doctrinal application for Israel in the future.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE — Amos 5:8 (Hebrews 1:2–3; Revelation 4:11)