Introduction to the prophet Nahum The 34th Book of the Bible, with 3 chaptersGod will not be mocked – The Downfall of the Assyrian Empire We do not know much about the origins of Nahum, the seventh of the “Minor” Prophets—whose name means “comfort,” “comforter,” or “God comforts”—nor do we (yet) know where his hometown,…
Introduction to the prophet Micah The 33rd book of the Bible, consisting of 7 chaptersA “colleague” of Isaiah—returning to God and His path The name of the prophet Micah is a short form of Michayah or Michael—both of whichmeans “Who is like God?”—so one could say Micah means “Who is like Him?”“Jah” stands for the…
Introduction to the prophet Jonah The 32nd book of the Bible, consisting of 4 chaptersA truly “strange” prophet of God! The fifth of the “minor” prophets, Jonah—which means “dove”—lived during the time of the prophet Joel, who ministered in Judah, and the prophet Amos, who also lived in Judah but whose message was primarily directed…
Introduction to the prophet Obadiah The 31st book of the Bible, consisting of a single chapterJudgment in a single chapter; the shortest book in the Old Testament In the order of the “Minor” Prophets, it is the fourth book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets.Obadiah, whose name means “servant of the LORD,” was the…
Introduction to the prophet Amos The 30th book of the Bible, consisting of 9 chaptersGod is just—regardless of status or position. Unrighteousness—sin without repentance—will always be met with judgment! With Amos, whose name means “burden” or “burden-bearer,” we come to the third of the so-called “minor” prophets. His call to be a prophet was primarily…
Introduction to the prophet Joel The 29th book of the Bible, consisting of 4 chaptersA call to repentance and return to God – The “Day of the LORD” is coming Joel, whose name means “The LORD—YHWH is God,” was the second of the so-called “Minor Prophets” in order of appearance; he succeeded the prophet Obadiah…
Introduction to the prophet Hosea The 28th book of the Bible, consisting of 14 chaptersA truly pitiable prophet With Hosea, we turn to the so-called “Minor Prophets,” traveling to the Northern Kingdom of Israel and jumping to its final days, shortly before its downfall.In terms of time, we find ourselves with Hosea about 150 years…
Introduction to the prophet Daniel The 27th book of the Bible, consisting of 12 chaptersA key to biblical prophecy Daniel, whose name means “God is my judge” or “God judges,” was of royal descent and was taken into exile by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II, along with King Jehoiakim of Judah and other carefully selected…
Introduction to the prophet Ezekiel The 26th book of the Bible, consisting of 48 chaptersGod’s second prophet in Babylonia after Daniel The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens” or “God makes strong,” is also counted among the so-called “Major” Prophets with its 48 chapters.But I think it is not only the…
Introduction to Lamentations The 25th book of the Bible, consisting of 5 chaptersFive laments concerning Israel and Jerusalem The Book of Lamentations is also counted among the “Major” Prophets. The Hebrew name for the Book of Lamentations is “Echa,” which means a lamenting exclamation like the English “Oh dear” or “Alas.” As textual findings in…