More than a Collection of Books Volume 3

Isaiah, the New Testament book in the Old Testament

Fixes its gaze on the suffering of Jesus Christ

It cites Israel’s sin, judgment, repentance and restoration

And also details the extent of the Saviour’s sacrifice.

Jeremiah sometimes called the weeping prophet

Demonstrated concern for Israel’s spiritual decline,

He prophesied against the evil kings of Judah

And often his prophecies were accompanied by signs.

Lamentations is an expression of Jeremiah’s lament

At the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian intent

To make captives of its inhabitants and lay it a waste

And their eventual reduction to a state of disgrace.

Ezekiel prophesied of Jerusalem’s impending siege

Of a rebellious people subject to God’s judgment,

He used visual aids having been commanded to be mute

And prophesied of God’s promise to preserve a remnant.

Daniel was one of those who was carried to Babylon

That kept his identity in spite of his name change,

He took a firm stand against Babylon’s idolatry

And determined regarding God he’d never be estranged.

Hosea was commanded to take a wife of whoredom

To demonstrate God’s love for backsliding Israel,

This prophecy illustrates what words could not do

Concerning the amazing grace God extends to his people.

Joel prophesied the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon all flesh

To which the Apostle Peter referred on the day of Pentecost

The key phrase of the book is “the day of the Lord”

Reminding believers whatever the challenge all is never lost

Amos at God’s command left his flock for a while

To deliver a specific message at Bethel,

He ministered in an age of affluence and moral laxity

When superstition and idolatry were a way of the people.

Obadiah like Jude consists of a single chapter

That prophesies against the descendants of Esau,

They had rejoiced over the destruction of Jerusalem

And this disrespect for Israel seemed to be the last straw.

Jonah called of God to be a witness to the Gentiles

Was jealous that to Nineveh grace should be extended.

While fleeing to Tarshish he was swallowed by a fish

But God ordered it so that that was not where he ended.

Micah is quoted in the book of Saint Matthew

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah

But against a dark and worldly background

He prophesied wrath against Israel and Judah.

Stewart Russell © 2017