Sunday, February 17, 2019

More than A Collection of Books 5




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.

Nahum prophesied against the great city of Nineveh
That the God of the nations the Assyrians disclaimed
Was the sovereign controller of all human destiny
And even the greatest world power must submit in shame.

Habakkuk, known for ”the just shall live by faith”
Is perplexed that Judah is not punished for her iniquity
The Lord uses the Babylonians to punish Judah
Whereupon Habakkuk questions God’s use of the enemy.

Zephaniah tells of God’s determination to execute judgment
On Judah and Jerusalem because of idolatry,
His message to Judah is a call to repentance
But woe is pronounced on Jerusalem for its treachery.

Haggai’s call was for the people to rebuild the temple
Instead they were taken up with their own affairs
Again he encouraged them giving assurance of God’s presence
The glory of the future temple will be greater he declared.

Zechariah using highly symbolic language in his visions
Predicted the overthrow of the Gentile world powers,
He speaks of Messiah’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem
And his return when he makes Mount Olive his tower.

Malachi like Nehemiah highlighted similar problems
Like withholding the Lord’s tithe and intermarrying,
He records Jehovah’s last pleading with His people
Then the prophetic is silent until the Baptist’s coming.

Stewart Russell © March 2017




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