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e Prophet to Nineveh: Why Study the Book of Nahum Part 01

INTRODUCTION TO NAHUM The Book of Nahum belongs to three minor prophets in the Bible that are directed primarily to a foreign entities: Jonah to Nineveh and Obadiah to Edom are the others. Nahum prophesied to the city of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, but he came much later than Jonah. Using dramatic speech, Nahum graphically tells about the fall of the city that once terrified the ancient world, including Jerusalem and Judah. Jonah came to Nineveh 150 years earlier and his ministry was stunningly successful. Despite his reluctance to go, Jonah’s preaching spawned mass repentance; this is impressive for a heathen nation. Would to God we had these kind of results today! After Jonah’s day, Assyria grew to be a great empire. In the time of King Ahab, the Assyrians tried to conquer the 10 tribes of Israel but failed. Then during the reign of Ashurbanipal III, the little tribe of Benjamin was taken. Finally, in the year 722 BC, under Shalmaneser, the other 9 tri...

The ‘Country Prophet:’ Why Study the Book of Micah PART 02

Summary of Micah This Book of Micah is divided into three parts: Part 01 - Chapters 1-3: This section is about the indictment and punishment of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah for idolatry, injustice, immorality, which brought corruption, oppression, bribery, and putrid pride. Both kingdoms would be judged for their sins. Kings, priests, and false prophets were especially culpable for this rampage of sin. Part 02 - Chapters 4-5: From crime and punishment, Hosea speaks about the glories of the coming Messianic kingdom. His words in 4:1-5 mirror Isaiah 2:2-4. In the latter days people worldwide will come to the mountain of the House of the Lord, where God personally will teach people of His ways and they will walk in His paths. This is referring to the Kingdom of Christ and the Lord Himself will do the teaching. Peace and prosperity will be the hallmarks of His reign. Part 03 - Chapter 6-7: This final part is about justice and mercy. It comes across as a courtr...

Prophet to the North - Why Study the Book of Hosea?

Prophet to the North: Why Study the Book of Hosea For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. 8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure — Hosea 8:7-8 Introduction A prophet from the Northern Kingdom of Israel, prophesying to the Northern Kingdom, Hosea is a faithful man who marries an exceptionally unfaithful wife named Gomer. How else can it be since she was a prostitute? The prophet’s marriage was like a metaphor of God’s relationship with Israel, which is likened to a troubled marriage with an unfaithful spouse. Hebrew Name of Hosea The prophet’s name comes from Hoshea, meaning ‘salvation.’ The great conqueror of Canaan, Joshua the son of Nun, has the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning ‘Yahweh’ or ‘God’ is salvation. Author of Hosea Though the text is written in the first and thi...