Category: Minor prophets
Not by might!
Scripture reading for September 29th: Zechariah 3-4
When we face a difficult task for the Lord, we begin to take inventory of our resources. God’s people and their leaders faced a task that looked impossible: the rebuilding of the temple and of Jerusalem! God sent visions to Zechariah to expand their resources and bring encouragement!
The second of eight visions pictured Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Lord, and Satan there accusing him. The Lord rebuked Satan and spoke of Joshua as a burning stick snatched from the fire! (Zechariah 3:2) (Jude 22,23) He then ordered Joshua’s filthy clothes to be removed and clothed him in clean garments. Joshua was told that if he walked in the Lord’s ways, he would govern God’s house and have a place among those standing there by the throne of God.
Joshua the high priest was symbolic of things to come. God would send His servant, the Branch, and would remove the sin of Israel in a single day. Jesus Christ was the servant of the Lord who was sent by God. He fully obeyed all of God’s requirements and walked in His ways. He became sin and was made like the burning stick, under the fires of God’s judgment for us. God raised Him from the dead, snatching Him from the fire, and seated Him at His right hand!
Zechariah saw a golden lamp stand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it. There were two olive trees standing on either side of the bowl. “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” (Zechariah 4:6) It was not their might, power, or ability that would accomplish the task. God would bless their efforts and He would see it through by His Spirit!
As I reflect on this last vision, I see the church as the lamp stand and the light in the world. The Spirit is the oil that brings the energy for the light. God’s anointed leaders help with the dispensing of the anointing oil as they live by faith and do their assigned jobs! Their lives of faith reflect God’s Glory and the work goes forward! In the power of His Spirit, the mountain of impossibility will become a plain!
The glory of the latter house!
Scripture reading for September 26th: Haggai 1-2
Have you ever struggled with priorities? Mary and I had just about gotten our children through college and the last one was ready to get married. We were enjoying our first senior pastorate in Washington State and an empty nest. We loved to go out on my day off and go antiquing and sight-seeing in that beautiful state. Then God spoke to us through a missionary and our friends about enlarging our family by adoption. To be honest, that choice did not initially look like something we wanted to do. We wrestled with it for some time, before becoming settled on the Lord’s will and priority for our lives.
Haggai was speaking to people who had chosen to come back from Babylon and rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem. Initially, these people had the right priority but began to focus on themselves, their own houses, and family needs. They neglected the house of the Lord! (Haggai 1:2-4)
“Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains, and bring down timber and build a house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:5-8)
They had gotten their focus onto themselves and their houses and neglected God’s house! God was gently reminding them of their priorities. If we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, everything we need will be added to us. If we try to grab what we need, even what we have will be lost! (Matthew 6:33)
A great shaking is coming! (Haggai 2:6) God is going to shake the earth, sea, and all the nations of the earth. The ‘desired of the nations’ (Jesus Christ) is coming and will fill this later house with glory! “”The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9) Take time to reorder your priorities today, putting God’s house in first place!
God’s delight in His people!
Scripture reading for September 25th: Zephaniah 1-3
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.“ Zephaniah 3:17
Zephaniah was a prophet around 630 B.C. during the reign of Josiah, a good king of Israel. God warned that He would sweep everything from the face of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:2-3) He was going to take man completely from the face of the earth, and the animals, birds, and fish in the sea as well! That sounds similar to the great flood of Noah’s day! Even God’s people were worshiping Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Some of the priests were worshiping Molech and the starry host using astrology. (Zephaniah 1:4-5)
Astrology is popular today in America. Almost every newspaper has a horoscope and some people seek it daily in an attempt to order their lives by the stars. Many follow the bad example of Judah in Zephaniah’s day, and turn away from following the true God. They are complacent or have followed gods of convenience and pleasure. (Zephaniah 1:12)
Zephaniah cried out to this complacent and sinful people that their appointed time was coming. Trouble, clouds, darkness and death were on the horizon. Their money could not save them on the day of wrath that would come suddenly. (Zephaniah 1:17-18) The only remedy offered by Zephaniah was to seek the Lord with humble hearts. Those who responded would be sheltered by the Lord. (Zephaniah 2:2-3)
We know from history that the young king, Josiah, turned to the Lord and led a revival that removed the idols and cleansed the land. He likely was responding to this prophet’s strong preaching. When we repent, God relents! He would rather be mighty to save us than mighty to judge us! He takes great delight in His people and desires to quiet us in His love. He rejoices over us with singing! Picture God spinning around in delight singing a song of joy over our return to Him! (Zephaniah 3:17) God is so merciful! Why not turn to Him today before the coming “day of the Lord”?
Questions for God!
Scripture reading for September 24th: Habakkuk 1-3
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” Habakkuk 1:2-3
Habakkuk was called to speak to God’s people on behalf of God but his words went unheeded by the people. He began to question God and He was silent. God always hears His people but sometimes is slower to respond than we would like. Sometimes, His response brings more questions!
God had told Habakkuk how He was going to raise up the Babylonians and use them to sweep over the land and destroy it. (Habakkuk 1:6-11) The Babylonians were a law unto themselves and bent on violence. They were ruthless and impetuous and cruel. Habakkuk was perplexed that a God who was holy could use something as vile and lawless as the Babylonians. Why would God even think of such a thing?
God answered Habakkuk’s complaint and told him to write it down. His answer spoke of the time of the end and would prove true. (Habakkuk 2:2-3) Babylon was full of pride and evil desires, but God would use them to chastise His people for a season. In the end, Babylon would be punished.
God’s people were to deal with these revelations by a simple truth: “the righteous will live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. God’s ways are always righteous and just. His people must learn to trust Him and live by faith in who He is! We please God only when we live by faith! (Hebrews 11:6) God promised Habakkuk that He would judge the wicked and bring woe to those who live for themselves. He also promised to fill the earth with His glory! (Habakkuk 2:14)
Habakkuk ended his book with a prayer and a psalm. The prayer was for God to renew His deeds in their day and time. (Habakkuk 3:2) The psalm told of the splendor of the Lord as He would come to judge the earth and deliver His people. He was prepared to wait on God, no matter what! Living by faith is how the righteous are victorious!
Shallow repentance!
Scripture reading for September 23rd: Nahum 1-3
A century earlier, Jonah had come to Nineveh to warn of coming judgment. A great wave of conviction fell on leaders, men and even the animals. All repented and called on the Lord and He had mercy and saved them from destruction. (Jonah 3:6-10) About a hundred years later, God sent Nahum back to Nineveh with a decree of divine displeasure and coming destruction. (Nahum 2:13) The revival of a century earlier had caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord, but they soon returned to their wicked ways.
God always warns the wicked of the coming disaster. Nahum’s word was unmistakable. “. . all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.” “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty. All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins–who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort her? ” (Nahum 3:4-5, 7)
In the midst of the warning to Nineveh, Nahum spoke a word of hope and encouragement to Judah. The wicked would no longer invade them and they would be restored to their land. (Nahum 1:15) This good news speaks to us today as well. We know that God has defeated evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. The triumph of Jesus Christ is sure and He will defeat all wickedness and evil and set up His reign of peace on the earth.
When we read God’s warnings concerning the defeat of wickedness and the final judgment, it is easy to think that He is speaking of something far away or that they are meant for someone else. It is easy to give lip service to God, but still have a heart far from Him. This is a day of mercy and a day of “good news”! Respond with true repentance that brings everlasting peace and blessing!
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
Simple instruction!
Scripture reading for September 22nd: Micah 6-7
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
The prophet Micah had a rough time during his years of work. Many people heard the messages He preached, but most were very complacent or even became his enemies because the message threatened their comfort zones and called for repentance and change on their part. It is easier to ‘kill the prophet’ than to apply the truth and change! God’s heart was also broken, for He desired a people who would simply act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him! (Micah 6:8)
As we read these last two chapters, we see words of Jesus as He walked this earth. Through Micah, the Lord called out to the city to heed His word. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the Lord “called out to the city”. (Micah 6:9, 16, Matthew 23:37-38) As Jesus looked for fruit on the fig tree, but found none and cursed it, so Micah stated that he was miserable because there were no “early figs that I crave”. (Micah 7:1, Mark 11:12-14) Micah warned that because of our walk with the Lord, enemies would arise from those close to us. (Micah 7:6, Matthew 10:34-36) Jesus used Micah’s words to exhort the people to love God more than they loved their families’ opinions or religion.
Micah saw the judgment of God coming on a people who were complacent and just going through the motions of religious ritual. He cried out in warning, but few heeded. He saw the earth being made desolate because of the wicked deeds of it’s inhabitants. (Micah 7:13) Jesus also warned of the coming day of the Lord when judgment would come upon those who were wicked! (Matthew 24)
Let’s keep it simple! Let us love Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves! These are the two great commandments that Jesus left His people. If we do love with our hearts, we will do justly toward God and others. We will show mercy and walk humbly with our God! Try it, you’ll like it!
Let’s go to the Mountain!
Scripture reading for September 20th: Micah 3-5
“Because of you (prophets and leaders), Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.” Micah 3:12
Micah wasted no time in telling the leaders of Israel and Judah their sins. These leaders had loved evil instead of good and failed to provide justice for the land. (Micah 3:1-2) The prophets of the land were no better. If they were given food or pay, they would bring a message of “peace”. If they were not paid, the message would be of coming war! The results of the failures of leadership were the destruction of the temple and of the city of Jerusalem. The leaders thought that they were safe because they called on the Lord and stayed near His temple. But Micah was a true prophet of the Lord and warned them free of charge!
Leadership is so important for the people of God! Wise leaders model godly behavior and love to see justice done. They live by God’s word and call the people to follow. They punish those who stray from the truth and reward those who are doing right. As we look at our nation today, many claim to be Christians, but their actions betray their words. Where are the godly prophets who will confront sin in the leadership?
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.”” Micah 4:1-2
God would establish Mt. Zion as the place of rule for all nations and peoples. (Micah 4:6-7) Micah also spoke about the city of Bethlehem in Judah. From this city would come the One who would rule over Israel. He would shepherd the flock of God’s people and His greatness would spread to the ends of the earth! (Micah 5:2-4) He would establish justice and teach mankind to walk in His ways! Micah spoke of Jesus Christ 700 years before His coming! God provided the godly Leader who would model justice and righteousness for the whole earth!
Ear-tickling prophets!
Scripture reading for September 19th: Micah 1-2
“If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people.” Micah 2:11
Micah lived in a day of fallen moral values, a time when God’s people lived for materialism and pleasure. Micah was called to warn God’s people of their sins. This statement was meant to shock their senses. A man of God telling them about plenty of alcohol to cure their sin would be like a doctor prescribing poison to cure a fatal illness!
As Micah exposed the sins of this people, he mentioned those who plotted to take the property of their brothers and sisters through fraud and deceit. (Micah 2:1-3) The land was a promised inheritance for each family. The promised land was divided by Joshua according to God’s plans by lot to each family. (Joshua 13 and following) It was to be a perpetual inheritance. God is for personal responsibility and ownership under His authority. If we can learn to be faithful with the little here, He can give us much in the coming millennial kingdom!
We are a people who have always valued the right to ownership. Our government has laws that protect property ownership and rights. When God’s people got into sin and became deluded and drunk on their own ways, they lost their inheritance. As it happened to God’s people in Micah’s day, so it could happen in our land!
“In that day men will ridicule you: they will taunt you with this mournful song: ‘We are utterly ruined: my people’s possession is divided up. He takes it from me! He assigns our fields to traitors.'” “Therefore, you will have no one in the assembly of the Lord to divide the land by lot.” Micah 2:4-5
The loss of their land would bring about the ruin of God’s people! This people would receive a false prophet who would prophesy plenty of wine and beer. Their delusion would lead to their destruction and captivity. They would lose their property and suffer eternal loss. Oh that God’s people would listen to truth and be responsible stewards of God’s promises!
A whale of an indigestion problem!
Scripture reading for September 18th: Jonah 1-4
Have you ever consciously tried to avoid obedience to God? Jonah was a prophet who was given orders by God to preach to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the super-power of Jonah’s time and its inhabitants were known for their cruelty. They routinely killed, tortured and mutilated those they conquered! It is said that they impaled people on stakes and piled up heads in great pillars to spread fear and boast of their power.
Our prayers move the hand of God but so does wickedness and cruelty towards the poor and oppressed! (Jonah 1:2) God’s heart is for righteousness but He has promised retribution for sin. His wrath is ongoing towards sin on earth. (Romans 1:18) It will be revealed eternally in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15) But God does not judge or pour out wrath without first giving warning and an opportunity to escape. He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone! (Ezekiel 33:11)
Jonah was sent on a mission of mercy, but instead boarded a ship going in the opposite direction. During the course of the journey, God sent a great wind to buffet the ship. The sailors cast lots to find out the one causing the trouble and the lot fell to Jonah! Jonah told the men he was running from the Lord. He also told them to throw him overboard and the sea would calm down. They obeyed!
As Jonah sank into the sea, God appointed a great fish to swallow him up! For three days and three nights he wrestled with his own heart and finally decided to pray! The result was a beautiful prayer of repentance from the belly of the whale! (Jonah 2:2-9) The Lord spoke to the fish and Jonah was vomited up on the shore of Nineveh! The ironic part of all of this is that the Ninevites worshiped Dagon, the fish god! When Jonah came out of the fish, they thought that their ‘god’ had sent him! As he preached repentance, all of them turned to the Lord in humility!
From Jonah, we learn that God is sovereign and that creation obeys His commands! How much more should we, who are made in His image, obey Him! If you are called by God to follow Him, why not avoid causing indigestion?