Category: Minor prophets
Snatched from the fire!
Scripture reading for September 27: Zechariah 3-4
God’s people and their leaders faced a task that looked impossible: the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem! God sent visions to Zechariah to bring encouragement and a fresh perspective. 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 and kept His requirements, he would govern God’s house and have a place among those standing there by the throne of God.
In this vision, 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. Zechariah was getting visions of things to come that we now see and understand! Jesus Christ was the Servant of the Lord, the Branch of David 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! In obeying His Father, Jesus Christ removed the sin from the land and made forgiveness available to all people in one day!
Next, Zechariah saw a golden lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it. There were two olive trees standing on either side of the bowl. Zechariah again asked for understanding. “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) God was giving encouragement to those leading the rebuilding. 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 with shouts of “Grace, grace to it”! (Zechariah 4:7)
As I reflect on this last vision, I see the church as the lampstand and the light in the world. The Spirit is the oil that brings the energy for the work and 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 by faith and grace! It may seem like our work is small but don’t despise it. Live by faith in the power of His Spirit and the mountain will become a plain!
Protected by a ‘Wall of Fire’!
Scripture reading for September 26: Zechariah 1-2
Zechariah began his message with a word from the Lord to Israel. The Lord had been angry with their forefathers because they would not respond to His call for them to return to Him. For years prophets had been sent with a simple message calling for repentance from evil and idolatry and a faith response of obedience toward God. But the people of God would not respond so God’s Word, which promised consequences and curses for disobedience, overtook them! (Deuteronomy 28:15) People just can’t outrun the Word of the Lord! (Zechariah 1:6)
Zechariah then was given a night vision of a man riding a red horse. This rider was followed by riders on red, brown and white horses. As he asked the Lord for understanding, an angel answered him. These horses and riders were ones that the Lord had sent throughout the whole earth and they reported back that the world was at rest and peace. The angel then turned to the Lord and asked Him a question: “How long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem?” (Zechariah 1:12-13) (Revelation 6:1-7)
The Lord answered the angel with encouraging words about Jerusalem. He was jealous for Jerusalem and would return to Jerusalem with mercy. The temple would be rebuilt and the measuring line again stretched over the city in order to build the wall of protection around it and keep it secure. Prosperity would again flow to God’s people and God, Himself, would comfort them. (Zechariah 1:14-17) (Revelation 11:1-2)
It sounded good, but in the vision four horns appeared. Zechariah was puzzled and asked their meaning. They represented the nations that had lifted their power against Israel and scattered them. (Zechariah 1:18-21) They would be thrown down by spiritual forces of the Lord in the heavenly realm. A spiritual conflict would go on as the temple was rebuilt, but God’s people would succeed!
God’s people would succeed because their protection was not just physical walls! In fact, Jerusalem would be a city without walls! God, Himself, would be a “Wall of fire” around the city and its Glory! (Zechariah 2:4-5) What a glorious vision of encouragement to those who had by faith come to rebuild the city! God’s promises can be depended on and faith lays hold of them. God further stated that His people were the “apple of His eye” and that He would deal with anyone who would oppose them!
Are you fearful today? Do you need a word of encouragement? Read Zechariah 1-2 and let God speak vision and encouragement! He is your Wall of fire and Glory forever!
Give careful thought to your ways!
Scripture reading for September 25: 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 Lacey, Washington and an empty nest. We loved to go antiquing and sight-seeing on my day off. None of those things were sinful and we were having a good time. 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. It was not easy, but has been the most rewarding blessing!
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 they drifted away from the priorities that once motivated them and began to focus on themselves, their own houses, and family needs. They neglected the house of the Lord! (Haggai 1:2-4) Haggai spoke to them from the Lord: “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)
Have you experienced lack of satisfaction and lack of fulfillment? It may be your priorities are out of whack like those who were in Jerusalem to rebuild the Lord’s temple. 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)
We need to be about God’s business because a 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 His house with glory! Jesus Christ did this in human form about 500 years after Haggai’s time. He will do it again during the millennial reign following the rapture of the church. The temple was the place of His first house and we are His temple today! “”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)
God rejoices over me!
Scripture reading for September 24: 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. He spoke some strong words to the nation of Judah concerning the coming day of the Lord. Through Zephaniah, 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 sounded like a very thorough cleaning similar to the great flood of Noah’s day!
Even Judah was warned that there were those who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants, but were worshiping Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. Some of the priests of God’s house 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 read it daily. Many follow the 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 when judgment would bring a day of wrath and destruction. Trouble, clouds, darkness and death were on the horizon. Their money could not save them on this day of wrath that would come suddenly at the appointed time. (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. An appetite for God must come from a heart that is humble and not centered on idols or upon oneself. (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) This reflects the thought of the Hebrew words of this verse! Turn to Him today before the coming “day of the Lord”.
Are You listening to 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
Have you ever had questions for God? Have you asked God for answers, but wondered if He was listening or ignoring your cry? Habakkuk found himself in such a position. He 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, but God was silent. God always hears His people but sometimes is slower to respond than we would like. Sometimes, His response brings more questions!
In this case, God 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) These people were a law unto themselves and they were bent on violence. They were guilty men whose strength was their god. They were ruthless, 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?
We can read God’s answer to Habakkuk’s complaint because God 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 used them to chastise His people for a season. In the end, Babylon would be punished because sin always brings punishment and death. God’s people were to deal with these revelations by a simple fact: “the righteous will live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4.
It really doesn’t matter if we have questions and God doesn’t answer. It doesn’t matter if, when He does answer, the answer causes more questions. 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 ends his book with a prayer and a psalm. The prayer is for God to renew His deeds in their day and time. It’s a great short prayer for revival. (Habakkuk 3:2) The psalm tells of the splendor of the Lord as He comes to judge the earth and deliver His people. It ends with a strong statement of faith! Habakkuk had his focus on the Lord and His just and holy character and nothing else matters! He is prepared to wait on God, no matter what! Living by faith is the way of the righteous!
A shallow ‘revival’!
Scripture reading for September 21: Nahum 1-3
A century earlier, Jonah had come to Nineveh and called the people to repentance. 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) In an amazing revival, these people got serious and averted the destruction that God had promised!
A century later, God sent Nahum back to Nineveh with another message for them. This time it was a decree of divine displeasure and coming destruction. (Nahum 2:13) Their allotted time for change had come to an end and they had failed the test. During the earlier revival, they humbled themselves and sought the Lord, but returned to their wicked ways. The revival did not truly affect their hearts.
In the midst of this prophecy, Nahum spoke a Word of hope and encouragement to Judah. He gave them a word of “good news” and peace. The wicked would no longer invade them and they would be restored to their land. (Nahum 1:15) This good news speaks to all of us today as well. We know that God has defeated evil through the cross of Jesus Christ. The triumph of Jesus Christ is already sure and He will ultimately defeat all wickedness and evil and set up His reign of peace on the earth.
God always warns people of coming disaster. He uses prophets for the heathen nations and sends them with words that are clear and easy to understand. Nahum’s Word: “. . 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)
As we think of God’s warnings about the defeat of all wickedness and the final judgment, it is easy to think He is speaking of something far away or that His warning is 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”! Instead of lip service, go for the deep revival of true repentance and holiness 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
Keep it simple!
Scripture reading for September 20: 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 the last two chapters of this prophet, we see in the verses words of Jesus as He walked this earth revealing the heart of the Father and reaching out to lost people, first among the Jews. 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)
So, today, 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 as He leads us by His Holy Spirit! What could be easier? Try it, you’ll like it!
Zion plowed like a field!
Scripture reading for September 19: 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) For pay, the prophets of the land would bring a message of “peace” and tickle ears. If they were not paid, the message would be of coming war! The failures of leadership would bring the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem. The leaders thought that they were safe because they called on the Lord and stayed near His temple. Micah was a true prophet of the Lord and warned them free of charge that ‘Zion will be plowed like a field!’
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. They do not claim to love God and then do the opposite of what God has said is right. As we look at our nation today, we find few leaders who really love God. Many claim to be Christians, but their actions deny their profession . Where are the godly prophets who will confront sin in the leadership of the land?
“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
According to Micah, God would provide a time of peace in the last days. He would again establish Mt. Zion as the place of rulership for all nations. They would come to the Lord and desire to know His ways. This would be a time of universal peace and He would rule over the peoples from Mt. Zion. (Micah 4:6-7) But before this takes place, Israel must go into captivity in Babylon and the Lord would rescue them.
Micah then spoke prophetically about the city of Bethlehem in Judah. From this small town, One Who would rule over Israel would come. He would shepherd the flock of God’s people and His greatness would spread to the ends of the earth! (Micah 5:2-4) God’s prophets are always known by the truth of their words. Check out who you are listening to in these last days!
“You’ll have plenty of wine and beer!”
Scripture reading for September 18: 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, when God’s people lived for materialism and pleasure. Micah was called to warn God’s people of the coming retribution if they continued on their merry sinful way. This statement about a prophet who would tell them what they wanted to hear was meant to be funny and yet shocking to 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 land and 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. When people have their own property and are responsible for it, they most often use their gifts and work hard to build a home and keep it beautiful. 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. When any nation denied ownership to people and made the government the owner, the results have been disastrous! Look at the countries where communism has tried to make the government owner and provider for all! Sins of greed and desire for dominance soon take over. This is possible in our nation, too, as it happened to God’s people in Micah’s day. God uses our stewardship as a test of faithfulness and to shape our character.
“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. Oh that God’s people would listen to truth and be responsible stewards of God’s promises!
The belly of the big fish!
Scripture reading for September 17: Jonah 1-4
Jonah was a prophet of the Lord who was given orders by God to go and preach to the city of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the super-power of Jonah’s time whose 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 and He has promised retribution for sin. His wrath is ongoing towards sin and is being revealed daily in the earth. (Romans 1:18) It will be revealed eternally in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15) But God does not pour out wrath without first giving warning and an opportunity to escape. He takes no pleasure in the death of anyone but would rather show mercy!
Jonah was sent on a mission of mercy to a wicked people. He chose not to obey and, to avoid God’s command, boarded a ship going in the opposite direction. During the course of the journey, God sent a great wind to buffet the ship. The wind obeyed the Lord when Jonah wouldn’t! The sailors cast lots to find out the one causing the trouble and Jonah was exposed! Jonah told the men he was running from the Lord. He told them to throw him overboard and the sea would calm down. It worked!
As Jonah sank down into the sea, God appointed a great fish to swallow him up! We can only imagine the smell and cramped quarters! A feeling of helplessness must have gripped Jonah! For three days and three nights he wrestled with his own heart and finally decided to pray and give himself to obey the Lord! What a beautiful prayer of repentance Jonah made! (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 humbled themselves!
Jesus used the sign of Jonah to tell people that He would be buried for three days before His resurrection! (Matthew 12:38-41) 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 hear God calling you to follow Him, why not avoid the belly of the big fish?