Twelve Books of Minor Prophets

    Hosea through Malachi

     The Lord Loved the sons of Israel, starting with the promise to Father Abraham. But with all the amazing stories of deliverance and provision they kept on turning away, seeking comfort in falsehoods. Their adulterous ways deepened. Hosea was called to express such in action reminding them that the manna from Heaven fills the soul, and the “raison cakes” they desired fed the flash. Such as we experience, knowing we can not live on bread alone but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.     

     We read the prophecies of the minor prophets pronouncing judgments that were coming upon the rebellious nation of Israel. Such was written by Amos, who writes about the devastating defeats and exiles that were about to transpire.  

     The beloved story of Jonah has been told over the years because of such a miracle of him being saved after being eaten by a great fish and set forth in his calling by being spit up on dry ground near Nineveh. But we mustn’t miss the acknowledgements of Jonah that drove his actions, for he knew the attributes of God. I knew that “You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in mercy”. Even though Jonah had this calling to warn the Ninevites to repent and turn from their deep sin, his human hatred for the nation caused him to resist until God intervened.  

     We read of Gods mercies from the prophet Micah; the time of Israel's defeats and exile would expire. God would set in motion a change in the hearts of their enemies. Throughout scripture we read of God hardening hearts but also He can renew favor according to his purposes. And we know as we read, “He delights in mercy.” This is a reminder to come before his throne, daily in prayer, for there is always a path to forgiveness though his precise blood that was shed for us. 

     The prophet Habakkuk reminds us that God is HOLY. And He is for all creation, for we read, “Let all the earth be silent before Him”.  We are told in Revelation that we are not to add or take away any words spoken; God breathed Words. His Word will never change, having an everlasting impact on our lives. Let us trust in him and not lean on our own understanding.     

     In Zephaniah the prophet calls us to seek the Lord with all our heart. Coming to him with a humbled heart and emptying ourselves of all our selfish ways. There is great gain in obedience unto the Lord’s commands, living out his Word. 

     The prophet Haggai encourages us to “Consider your ways!”. What a powerful message for us to reflect on. Are we driven by pride or spite, for being wronged or are we driven by Love and Mercy. For we have a Loving and Merciful God that we serve, who has called us to embrace these attributes.     

     After the pronouncement of the rebuilding of the Temple there comes a message of God’s Kingdom.  Zechariah prophesying a song of praise for a coming King as written, “He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey”.  With pronouncement of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. He will come to serve and not to be served with all humbleness, and what a great example Christ is for us.  

     Malachi prophesied of the coming of John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ. As it is written “he will clear a way before Me”. For even when Mary the mother of Jesus approached Johns pregnant mother, the unborn John leaped for Joy. It was God working in John to bring all Glory to the coming King who was prophesied over four hundred years earlier. Jesus Christ ushered in a New Covenant not based on man’s faithfulness but of God’s mercy. Amen. 

Next up is "The Gospels"